A toxin from a deadly South American pit viper can block the Zika virus from infecting human placental cells.
April 29, 2026
Original Paper
Myotoxin II, a Lys49 phospholipase A2 from Bothrops moojeni snake venom, suppresses Zika virus in human placental cells and villous explants
SSRN · 6661499
The Takeaway
Snake venom is usually a cocktail of proteins designed to kill, but one specific component called MjTX-II has shown a surprising ability to save. This toxin interferes with the way the Zika virus enters human cells and messes with the lipids the virus needs to replicate. In experiments with human placental tissue, the venom extract effectively shielded the cells from infection. This discovery is especially vital because Zika causes devastating birth defects and currently has no vaccine or treatment. It turns a lethal predator's weapon into a potential shield for the most vulnerable developing lives. This finding opens up a new world of antiviral drugs sourced from nature's most dangerous creatures.
From the abstract
AbstractZika virus (ZIKV) infection during pregnancy is associated with severe congenital malformations, highlighting the urgent need for effective antiviral agents targeting the maternal-fetal interface. Here, we report the antiviral activity of MjTX-II, a Lys49-phospholipase A2 isolated from Bothrops moojeni venom, against a Brazilian strain of ZIKV (ZIKVPE243). Using human villous trophoblast cells (BeWo) and human chorionic villous explants (HCVE), we show that MjTX-II exhibits potent antivi