Venomics: A Treasure for Drug Discovery and the Development of Strategies against Envenomation

Based on definition venomics is the study of the proteome of the venoms. Venomics is a research program started by International society of Toxicology. The aim of this program is to analyze and examine the genomic background of venomic animals using new technologies based on genomics, proteomics and transcriptomics. Venomics throughout their studies showed us that venomous animals can be dangerous and deadly but sometimes can be a treasure of substances and molecules that can be beneficial for drug discovery and the development of strategies against envenomation (Menez, 2006).

An enormous amount of animals have special glandular organs that are able to secret toxic substances, these substances are called venoms. The venoms have specific functions for the animals, for example some they discharge their venoms into their surroundings as a protection of their enemies, some other times venom is mixed with digestive juices playing an important role for the nourishment of the animal, and in some other cases they are used by the animals as a kind of defense or attack by binding-sting other animals or humans. An animal is defined venomous when it has the ability to inoculate its venom. The venomous animals are coming from lower zones like Protozoa, Arthropods, Molluscs, Coelenterates and Vertebrates included reptiles, fishes and amphibians (Bale and Danielsson, 1908).

The reasons that the human is so interested in the study of venoms are 3 reasons. First they can be an important source tools to study essential biological systems like the peripheral nervous system, the blood coagulations, hormonal system, homeostasis, immune system and cardiovascular system (Menez, 2002). Second, they can be a basic source for the development of...

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