Sulfonylureas and meglitinides are approved classes of type 2 diabetes drugs that target the ATP-sensitive potassium (KATP) channel on pancreatic beta cells to promote insulin secretion.151 However, a major disadvantage of these insulin secretagogues is non-glucose dependent insulin release and subsequent hypoglycaemia.152 Thus, constituents of snake venom could yield products that help give a better understanding of these beta cell signalling pathways, leading to drug modifications and a reduction in side effect profiles. This evidence concerns the gene INS and type 2 diabetes mellitus.