Molecules in tarantula venom could be used as an alternative to opioid painkillers for people seeking chronic pain relief.

University of Queensland researchers have designed a novel tarantula venommini-protein that can potentially relieve severe pain without addiction.

Dr Christina Schroeder from UQ’s Institute for Molecular Bioscience said thecurrent opioid crisis around the world meant urgent alternatives to morphineand morphine-like drugs, such as fentanyl and oxycodone, were desperatelyneeded.

“Although opioids are effective in producing pain relief, they come withunwanted side-effects like nausea, constipation and the risk of addiction,placing a huge burden on society,” Dr Schroeder said.

“Our study found that a mini-protein in tarantula venom from the Chinese birdspider, known as Huwentoxin-IV, binds to pain receptors in the body. “

“By using a three-pronged approach in our drug design that incorporates themini-protein, its receptor and the surrounding membrane from the spider venom,we’ve altered this mini-protein resulting in greater potency and specificityfor specific pain receptors.”

“This ensures that just the right amount of the mini-protein attaches itselfto the receptor and the cell membrane surrounding the pain receptors.”

Dr Schroeder said the mini-protein had been tested in mouse models and shownto work effectively.

“Our findings could potentially lead to an alternative method of treating painwithout the side-effects and reduce many individuals’ reliance on opioids forpain relief,” she said.

This study was published in The Journal of Biological Chemistry. (DOI:10.1074/jbc.RA119.012281).

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