Scorpion Derived Protien

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Overview The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery reports that over 2.4 million Botox injections were given in the U.S. in 2008. At an average cost of $443 per injection, Botox generates revenue of over $1 billion a year. Botox has been a commercial success, but producing Botox is work intensive and costly, limiting profitability. Technology Dr. Paul Fletcher and his co-investigators from the Department of Microbiology and Immunology at the Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University and the NIH have discovered a novel protein that has similar functionality to Botox®. Antarease is a 25.5 kDa zinc metalloprotease that is derived from the venom of the Brazilian Scorpion, Tityus serrulatus. The protein cleaves the synaptobrevin, vesicle-associated membrane protein 2, 3, 7 and 8 (VAMP2, 3, 7 and 8), which is found on the outside of vesicles. Cleavage of VAMP prevents the fusion of vesicles with membranes, leading to a reduction in the release of  molecules . In addition to VAMP, the protease also cleaves SNAP25. Advantages Effective Cleaving and Rapid Onset Compared to Botulinum Toxin Smaller Size and Ease of Production Allows For widespread molecular biology use (i.e. Antibody Conjugates) Applications Cosmetic Applications Blepharospasms Migraines Cystic Fibrosis Inflammation Diabetes Research Investigation