News Genetics

Evolution of venom, binge eating seen in snake DNA

Python and cobra genes evolved quickly to enable hunting strategies

TURNING TOXIC  King cobras evolved deadly venom from ordinary proteins. Duplicated genes and mutations altered the proteins’ functions, turning them into toxins.

Eric Isselee/Shutterstock

By Tina Hesman Saey

- More than 2 years ago

Snake genes are in high evolutionary gear.

Complete genomes of the Burmese python and king cobra reveal that many snake genes have changed more rapidly than those of other vertebrates, researchers report December 2 in two studies in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.