Platypus venom could treat type 2 diabetes

ADELAIDE: A longer- lasting form of a hormone found in platypus venom could pave the way for new treatments for type 2 diabetes in humans, according to researchers at the University of Adelaide.

The team found both the platypus and echidna produce a long-lasting form of the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 ( GLP-1), ABC News reported.

GLP-1 is normally secreted in the gut of both humans and animals, stimulating the release of insulin to lower blood glucose levels.

But GLP-1 typically degrades within minutes.

Lead researcher Professor Frank Grutzner said his team was surprised to find the hormone was produced not only in the platypus’ gut, but also in its venom.

“We’ve found that GLP-1 is degraded in monotremes [ platypus, echidna] by a completely different mechanism,” Grutzner said.

“Further analysis of the genetics of monotremes reveals that there seems to be a kind of molecular warfare going on between the function of GLP-1, which is produced in the gut, but also surprisingly in their venom.”

The platypus has spurs on its hind limbs for delivering venom to its competitors during mating season.

Associate Professor Briony Forbes said the two different functions of GLP-1 in the platypus — in the gut as a regulator of blood glucose, and in the venom to fend off other males — have seen the hormone evolve.