Project description:Harvester ants (genus Pogonomyrmex) are notable for their stings which cause intense, long-lasting pain and other neurotoxic symptoms in vertebrates. Here we show that harvester ant venoms are relatively simple and composed largely of peptide toxins. One class of peptides is primarily responsible for the long-lasting local pain of envenomation. These hydrophobic, cysteine-free peptides activate mammalian sensory neurons via potent modulation of voltage-gated sodium (NaV) channels, reducing voltage threshold for activation and inhibiting channel inactivation. These toxins appear to have evolved specifically as deterrents against vertebrates.
Project description:Using integrated transcriptomics and proteomic approaches, we characterized the venom peptidome of six ants representative of the six Myrmicinae tribes : Myrmica ruginodis, Pogonomyrmex californicus, Stenamma debile, Solenopsis saevissima, Daceton armigerum and Tetramorium africanum. We identified a total of 79 myrmicitoxin precursors which can be classified into 38 biochemical families according to their mature sequences. Myrmicine ant venom peptidome exhibited heterogeneous composition.
Project description:To investigate the effects of bonding experiences on the transcriptome of monogamous P. californicus in the lungs. Our results indicated that the lung transcriptomes of Peromyscus californicus are altered in a manner that depends on pair bonding. Pathways affected include hypoxia response and heart development.