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Brazilian Wasp Venom Peptide Kills Cancer Cells While Not Harming Normal Cells

By | September 2nd, 2015 | Modified - September 2nd, 2015
Brazilian Wasp Venom Peptide Kills Cancer Cells While Not Harming Normal Cells
Brazilian Wasp Venom Peptide Kills Cancer Cells While Not Harming Normal Cells – Image Credit: mirror.co.uk

A recent study[1][2] in the Biophysical Journal has shown the Brazilian wasp’s (Polybia paulista) venom to have anti-cancer properties. The wasp’s venom contains a peptide called MP1 (Polybia-MP1) that specifically targets and kills cancer cells, leaving normal cells unharmed.

MP1 works by making holes in the membrane of cancer cells. Two lipid substances on cancer cells make cancer cells vulnerable to MP1. Cancer cells have phosphatidylserine (PS) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) lipids on the surface of its cell’s membrane..

The position of these two compounds on the outside of the cell membrane is what makes cancer cells susceptible to MP1. In normal cells the phosphatidylserine (PS) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) are on the inside of the cell membrane facing the inside of the cell.

When MP1 comes in contact with the phosphatidylserine (PS) it creates a bound with it, while MP1’s contact with the phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) disrupts the membrane and forms holes in it. This allows the RNA and proteins to escape the cell, which kills it.

Since phosphatidylserine (PS) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) are on the inside of normal cells MP1 doesn’t come in contact with them so the MP1 isn’t able to disrupt the cell membrane of normal cells.

Atomic-force microscopy imaging revealed PS and PE lipids and the outside of cancer cells synergistically combined to enhance MP1’s cancer fighting ability.

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Alklaine Plant Based Diet
Alklaine Plant Based Diet

About Author:

Aqiyl Aniys is the author of the book Alkaline Herbal Medicine, the Alkaline Plant Based Diet book, and the children's book, Faith and Justice eat an Alkaline Plant Based Diet." He received a certificate in plant-based nutrition from Cornell University, a BA in Organizational Behavior and Communications from NYU, worked as an elementary school teacher, and studied social work. He enjoys boxing, kick boxing, cycling, power walking, and basically anything challenging, and his alkaline plant-based diet supports all that he does. Learn more about transitioning to avegan diet using the Dr. Sebi nutritional guide.

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