Venomics: a new paradigm for natural products-based drug discovery

Amino Acids. 2011 Jan;40(1):15-28. doi: 10.1007/s00726-010-0516-4. Epub 2010 Feb 24.

Abstract

The remarkable potency and pharmacological diversity of animal venoms has made them an increasingly valuable source of lead molecules for drug and insecticide discovery. Nevertheless, most of the chemical diversity encoded within these venoms remains uncharacterized, despite decades of research, in part because of the small quantities of venom available. However, recent advances in the miniaturization of bioassays and improvements in the sensitivity of mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy have allowed unprecedented access to the molecular diversity of animal venoms. Here, we discuss these technological developments in the context of establishing a high-throughput pipeline for venoms-based drug discovery.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biological Products / chemistry*
  • Biological Products / genetics
  • Biological Products / pharmacology
  • Drug Discovery*
  • Humans
  • Molecular Structure
  • Venoms / chemistry*
  • Venoms / genetics
  • Venoms / pharmacology

Substances

  • Biological Products
  • Venoms