Dataset Information

Asp caterpillar (Megalopyge ssp.) venom proteomes

ABSTRACT: Larvae of the genus Megalopyge (Lepidoptera: Zygaenoidea: Megalopygidae), called asp or puss caterpillars, produce defensive venoms that cause severe acute pain. Here, we present the anatomy, chemistry, and mode of action of the venom systems of caterpillars of two megalopygid species, the Southern flannel moth Megalopyge opercularis and the black-waved flannel moth Megalopyge crispata. We show that megalopygid venom is produced in secretory cells that lie beneath the cuticle and are connected to the venom spines by canals. Megalopygid venoms consist of larger aerolysin-like pore-forming toxins, which we have named megalysins, and a small number of peptides. Venom potently activates mammalian sensory neurons via membrane permeabilization and causes sustained spontaneous pain behaviours and paw swelling in mice. These bioactivities can be easily ablated by treatment with heat, organic solvents, or proteases, suggesting they are mediated by larger proteins, most likely the megalysins. We show that the megalysins were recruited as venom toxins in the Megalopygidae following horizontal transfer of genes from bacteria to the ancestors of Lepidoptera. The megalopygid venom system differs markedly from those of previously studied venomous zygaenoids of the family Limacodidae, suggestive of independent origins. Megalopygids have recruited aerolysin-like proteins as venom toxins convergently with centipedes, cnidarians, and fish. This study highlights the role of horizontal gene transfer in venom evolution.

INSTRUMENT(S): TripleTOF 5600

ORGANISM(S): Megalopyge Opercularis

TISSUE(S): Venom

SUBMITTER: Andrew Walker

LAB HEAD: Glenn F. King

PROVIDER: PXD037610 | Pride | 2024-01-26

REPOSITORIES: Pride

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Dataset's files

Source:

			Action	DRS
	20191010_AW_MC1_RA.wiff	Wiff
	20191010_AW_MC1_RA.wiff.scan	Wiff
	20191010_AW_MC1_RAT.wiff	Wiff
	20191010_AW_MC1_RAT.wiff.scan	Wiff
	20191010_AW_MC2_RA.wiff	Wiff

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Publications

Horizontal gene transfer underlies the painful stings of asp caterpillars (Lepidoptera: Megalopygidae).

Walker Andrew A AA Robinson Samuel D SD Merritt David J DJ Cardoso Fernanda C FC Goudarzi Mohaddeseh Hedayati MH Mercedes Raine S RS Eagles David A DA Cooper Paul P Zdenek Christina N CN Fry Bryan G BG Hall Donald W DW Vetter Irina I King Glenn F GF

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 20230710 29

Larvae of the genus Megalopyge (Lepidoptera: Zygaenoidea: Megalopygidae), known as asp or puss caterpillars, produce defensive venoms that cause severe pain. Here, we present the anatomy, chemistry, and mode of action of the venom systems of caterpillars of two megalopygid species, the Southern flannel moth Megalopyge opercularis and the black-waved flannel moth Megalopyge crispata. We show that megalopygid venom is produced in secretory cells that lie beneath the cuticle an ...[more]

PMID: 37428925

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