Why do we study animal toxins?
Why do we study animal toxins?
复制标题
我们为什么研究动物毒素？
DOI：
10.13918/j.issn.2095-8137.2015.4.183
复制
发表时间：
2015-07-01
影响因子：
4.9
通讯作者：
Zhang, Yun
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Zhang, Yun
毒液（毒素）是沿着动物进化树进化而来的一个重要性状。我们对毒液的了解，如它们的起源和损失，生物相关性以及与其他生物的共同进化模式，对理解许多基本的生物学问题非常有帮助，即，环境适应与生存竞争，进化塑造毒液的发育与平衡，毒液与免疫、体力、智力之间的复杂关系，它们的遗传基础、内在联系，以及生物经济的成本效益和权衡。致命的动物注毒在世界各地都可以找到。然而，从敌人到朋友，毒素研究在破译和对抗人类疾病方面带来了许多重要发现和令人兴奋的途径，包括获得诺贝尔奖的工作和许多关键的临床治疗方法。根据我们的调查，到目前为止，中国只有不到0.1%的有毒动物的毒素被探索。我们强调毒液和免疫系统的相似性，以及基于毒素知识的生理毒素样蛋白/肽（TLPs）的研究。我们提出自然配对假说。进化将毒素与人类联系在一起。我们的使命是找出正确的自然配对和我们的身体元素与毒素的相互作用，并与内源性毒素样分子。虽然，在自然界中，毒素可能会危及人类的生命，但从哲学的角度来看，了解它们是更好地了解我们自己的有效方法。这就是我们研究毒素的原因。
Venom (toxins) is an important trait evolved along the evolutionary tree of animals. Our knowledges on venoms, such as their origins and loss, the biological relevance and the coevolutionary patterns with other organisms are greatly helpful in understanding many fundamental biological questions, i.e., the environmental adaptation and survival competition, the evolution shaped development and balance of venoms, and the sophisticated correlations among venom, immunity, body power, intelligence, their genetic basis, inherent association, as well as the cost-benefit and trade-offs of biological economy. Lethal animal envenomation can be found worldwide. However, from foe to friend, toxin studies have led lots of important discoveries and exciting avenues in deciphering and fighting human diseases, including the works awarded the Nobel Prize and lots of key clinic therapeutics. According to our survey, so far, only less than 0.1% of the toxins of the venomous animals in China have been explored. We emphasize on the similarities shared by venom and immune systems, as well as the studies of toxin knowledge-based physiological toxin-like proteins/peptides (TLPs). We propose the natural pairing hypothesis. Evolution links toxins with humans. Our mission is to find out the right natural pairings and interactions of our body elements with toxins, and with endogenous toxin-like molecules. Although, in nature, toxins may endanger human lives, but from a philosophical point of view, knowing them well is an effective way to better understand ourselves. So, this is why we study toxins.