A deadly pest in caterpillars may very well help fend off cancer in humans.
The fungus is calledCordycepsmilitaris, and its the brightly-colored relative of more infamous fungi known to mind-control its victims.C.
The researchers first analyzed how cordycepin altered the activity of thousands of genes within different lines of cells.
Cordyceps militaris growing on a mulberry silkworm pupa.© Kornwipa Ponganan via Getty
Based on this analysis, they determined that the compound mainly works by blocking pathways that govern cell growth.
They also found the specific metabolic byproduct thats likely responsible for this effect, cordycepin triphosphate.
Our data confirms that cordycepin is a good starting point for novel cancer medicines and explains its beneficial effects.
So it might not take long for the horrific-lookingC.militaristo become a boon to humanity.
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