Dataset Information

Venoms for all occasions: the functional toxin profiles of different anatomical regions in sea anemones are related to their ecological function

ABSTRACT: Phylum Cnidaria is the oldest extant venomous group and is defined by the presence of nematocysts, specialised organelles responsible for venom production and delivery. While nematocysts and toxin peptides are distributed across the entire animal, nematocyst and venom profiles have been shown to differ across morphological structures in actiniarians. In this study, we explore the relationship between patterns of toxin expression and the ecological roles of discrete anatomical structures in Telmatactis stephensoni. Specifically, using a combination of proteomic and transcriptomic approaches, we examined whether there is a direct correlation between the functional similarity of regions and the similarity of their associated toxin expression profiles. We report that the regionalisation of toxin production is consistent with the partitioning of the ecological roles of venom across envenomating structures, and that three major functional regions are present in T. stephensoni— tentacles, epidermis and gastrodermis. Additionally, we find that structures which serve similar functions not only have comparable toxin profiles but also similar nematocyst types. There was no overlap in the toxins identified using proteomics and transcriptomics, however, the expression patterns of specific milked venom peptides were conserved across RNA-seq and mass spectrometry imaging datasets. Furthermore, based on our data, it appears that acontia of T. stephensoni may be transcriptionally inactive and only mature nematocyst are present in the distal portions of the threads. Overall, we find that the venom profile of different anatomical regions in sea anemones varies according to its ecological functions.

INSTRUMENT(S): TripleTOF 5600

ORGANISM(S): Telmatactis

TISSUE(S): Venom

SUBMITTER: Eivind Undheim

LAB HEAD: Eivind Undheim

PROVIDER: PXD029717 | Pride | 2022-05-30

REPOSITORIES: Pride

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Publications

Venoms for all occasions: The functional toxin profiles of different anatomical regions in sea anemones are related to their ecological function.

Ashwood Lauren M LM Undheim Eivind A B EAB Madio Bruno B Hamilton Brett R BR Daly Marymegan M Hurwood David A DA King Glenn F GF Prentis Peter J PJ

Molecular ecology 20211207 3

The phylum Cnidaria is the oldest extant venomous group and is defined by the presence of nematocysts, specialized organelles responsible for venom production and delivery. Although toxin peptides and the cells housing nematocysts are distributed across the entire animal, nematocyte and venom profiles have been shown to differ across morphological structures in actiniarians. In this study, we explore the relationship between patterns of toxin expression and the ecological roles of discrete anato ...[more]

PMID: 34837433

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Project description:Snake venoms are complex protein mixtures with different biological activities that can act in both their preys and human victims. Many of these proteins play a role in prey capture and in the digestive process of these animals. It is known that some snakes are resistant to the toxicity of their own venom by mechanisms not yet fully elucidated. However, it was observed in the Laboratory of Herpetology of Instituto Butantan that some Bothrops moojeni individuals injured by the same snake species showed mortalities caused by envenoming effects. This study analyzed the biochemical composition of 13 venom and plasma samples from Bothrops moojeni specimens to assess differences in their protein composition. Application of sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) showed distinct venom protein profiles, but very homogeneous plasma profiles. Western Blotting (WB) was performed with plasma samples, which were submitted to incubation with the respective venom. Some individuals showed an immunorecognized band zone around 25 kDa, indicating interaction between the same individual plasma and venom proteins. Crossed-WB assay using non-self-plasma and venom showed that this variability is due to venom protein composition instead of plasma composition. These venoms presented higher caseinolytic, collagenolytic and coagulant activities than the venoms without these regions recognized by WB. Mass spectrometry analysis revealed that these individuals present, in addition to higher protein concentrations, other exclusive proteins in their composition. When these samples were tested in vivo, the results also showed higher lethality in these venoms, but lower hemorrhagic activity than in the venoms without these regions recognized by WB. In conclusion, some Bothrops moojeni specimens differ in venom composition, which may have implications in envenomation. Moreover, the high individual venom variability found in this species demonstrates the importance to work with individual analysis in studies involving intraspecific venom variability and venom evolution.

Dataset Information

Venoms for all occasions: the functional toxin profiles of different anatomical regions in sea anemones are related to their ecological function

Publications

Venoms for all occasions: The functional toxin profiles of different anatomical regions in sea anemones are related to their ecological function.

Similar Datasets

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