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Evolution Invented the Same Toxin Defense Repeatedly
Key Takeaways
- Unrelated species independently evolved toxins mimicking the pain peptide bradykinin
- Convergence occurs at the receptor-binding interface despite different molecular structures
- Bradykinin's role in instant pain makes it an ideal target for defensive toxins
- Evolved mimics could serve as templates for new pain and inflammation drugs
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DT Editorial Team··4 min read·via science.org