Project description:Spiders are renowned for their efficient capture of flying insects using intricate aerial webs. How the spider nervous systems evolved to cope with this specialized hunting strategy and various environmental clues in an aerial space remains unknown. Here, we report a brain cell atlas of >30,000 single-cell transcriptomes from a web-building spider (Hylyphantes graminicola). Our analysis revealed the preservation of ancestral neuron types in spiders, including the potential coexistence of noradrenergic and octopaminergic neurons, and many peptidergic neuronal types that are lost in insects. By comparing the genome of two newly sequenced plesiomorphic burrowing spiders with three aerial web-building spiders, we found that the positively selected genes in the ancestral branch of web-building spiders were preferentially expressed (42%) in the brain, especially in the three mushroom body-like neuronal types. By gene enrichment analysis and RNAi experiments, these genes were suggested to be involved in the learning and memory pathway and may influence the spiders’ web-building and hunting behavior. Our results provide key sources for understanding the evolution of behavior in spiders and reveal how molecular evolution drives neuron innovation and the diversification of associated complex behaviors.
Project description:In the venom of spiders, linear peptides (LPs), also called cytolytical or antimicrobial peptides, represent a largely neglected group of mostly membrane active substances that contribute in some spider species considerably to the killing power of spider venom. By next-generation sequencing venom gland transcriptome analysis, we investigated 48 spider species from 23 spider families and detected LPs in 20 species, belonging to five spider families (Ctenidae, Lycosidae, Oxyopidae, Pisauridae, and Zodariidae). The structural diversity is extraordinary high in some species: the lynx spider Oxyopes heterophthalmus contains 62 and the lycosid Pardosa palustris 60 different LPs. In total, we identified 524 linear peptide structures and some of them are in lycosids identical on amino acid level. LPs are mainly encoded in complex precursor structures in which, after the signal peptide and propeptide, 13 or more LPs (Hogna radiata) are connected by linkers. Besides Cupiennius species, also in Oxyopidae, posttranslational modifications of some precursor structures result in the formation of two-chain peptides. It is obvious that complex precursor structures represent a very suitable and fast method to produce a high number and a high diversity of bioactive LPs as economically as possible. At least in Lycosidae, Oxyopidae, and in the genus Cupiennius, LPs reach very high Transcripts Per Kilobase Million values, indicating functional importance within the envenomation process.
Project description:Prey-specialised spiders are adapted to capture specific prey items, including dangerous prey such as ants, termites or other spiders. It has been observed that the venoms of specialists are often prey-specific and less complex than those of generalists, but venom composition has not been studied in detail in prey-specialised spiders. Here, we investigated the venom of the prey-specialised white-tailed spider (Lamponidae: Lampona sp.), which utilises specialised morphological and behavioural adaptations to capture spider prey. We hypothesised Lampona spiders also possess venomic adaptations, specifically, its venom is more effective to focal spider prey due to the presence of prey-specific toxins. We analysed the venom composition using proteo-transcriptomics and taxon-specific toxicity using venom bioassays. Our analysis identified 208 putative toxin sequences, comprising 103 peptides <10 kDa and 105 proteins >10 kDa. Most peptides belonged to one of two families characterised by scaffolds containing eight or ten cysteine residues. Protein toxins showed similarity to galectins, leucine-rich repeat proteins, trypsins and neprilysins. The venom of Lampona was shown to be spider-specific, as it was more potent against the preferred spider prey than against alternative prey represented by a cricket. In contrast, the venom of a related generalist (Gnaphosidae: Gnaphosa sp.) was similarly potent against both prey types. Prey-specific Lampona toxins were found to form part of the protein (>10 kDa) fraction of the venom. These data provide insights into the molecular adaptations of venoms produced by prey-specialised spiders.
Project description:In this project we have identifed and linear and spliced HLA-I bound peptides to LM-MEl-44, 53 and 33 cell lines in two different condition, treated and not treated with interferone gamma.
Project description:Dengue and Zika are two mosquito-borne diseases of great concern, affecting mainly the tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. The arrival of Zika virus (ZIKV) in dengue virus (DENV) endemic areas imposed challenges for differential diagnosis and the development of candidate vaccines. The use of peptides has shown great potential to achieve these goals. We aimed to identify the linear epitope profile recognized by the serum samples of dengue and Zika patients in the E and NS1 proteins of DENV and ZIKV to select peptides with the potential for the development of diagnostic tests and vaccines. Analysis of a peptide microarray platform with serum samples of dengue and Zika patients demonstrated that the epitopes were evenly distributed across the entire viral proteins, showing no preference for particular regions. However, several epitopes were within epitope hot spots constituted by clusters of peptides recognized in more than 30% of the sub-arrays analyzed with individual or pools of serum samples. The serum samples of dengue and Zika patients showed a high level of cross-reaction for epitopes in the DENV and ZIKV proteins. Analysis of an additional peptide microarray platform containing selected peptides based on the results of the first screening showed that three peptides (DENV: TQGEPSLNEEQDKRF and TQTVGPWHLGKLEID; ZIKV: LELDPPFGDSYIVIG), highly specific for their cognate viruses (p<0.05), were within the epitope hot spots; however, these peptides showed low detection rates (32.5, 35.0, and 28.6%, respectively). We also found two peptides (DENV: WEVEDYGFGVFTTNI and LELDFDLCEGTTVVV) in the epitope hot spots detected by both dengue and Zika patients with similarly high rates (arbitrary detection rate cut-off threshold of ≥40%). The epitope hot spots harbor several immunodominant epitopes recognized by a higher number of individuals when compared to the 15 aa sequence peptides. Therefore, the entire epitope hot spots, spanning up to ~30 aa, would have more potential than peptides of only 15 aa to serve as antigens in diagnostic tests and vaccine developments.
Project description:Dengue and Zika are two mosquito-borne diseases of great concern, affecting mainly the tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. The arrival of Zika virus (ZIKV) in dengue virus (DENV) endemic areas imposed challenges for differential diagnosis and the development of candidate vaccines. The use of peptides has shown great potential to achieve these goals. We aimed to identify the linear epitope profile recognized by the serum samples of dengue and Zika patients in the E and NS1 proteins of DENV and ZIKV to select peptides with the potential for the development of diagnostic tests and vaccines. Analysis of a peptide microarray platform with serum samples of dengue and Zika patients demonstrated that the epitopes were evenly distributed across the entire viral proteins, showing no preference for particular regions. However, several epitopes were within epitope hot spots constituted by clusters of peptides recognized in more than 30% of the sub-arrays analyzed with individual or pools of serum samples. The serum samples of dengue and Zika patients showed a high level of cross-reaction for epitopes in the DENV and ZIKV proteins. Analysis of an additional peptide microarray platform containing selected peptides based on the results of the first screening showed that three peptides (DENV: TQGEPSLNEEQDKRF and TQTVGPWHLGKLEID; ZIKV: LELDPPFGDSYIVIG), highly specific for their cognate viruses (p<0.05), were within the epitope hot spots; however, these peptides showed low detection rates (32.5, 35.0, and 28.6%, respectively). We also found two peptides (DENV: WEVEDYGFGVFTTNI and LELDFDLCEGTTVVV) in the epitope hot spots detected by both dengue and Zika patients with similarly high rates (arbitrary detection rate cut-off threshold of ≥40%). The epitope hot spots harbor several immunodominant epitopes recognized by a higher number of individuals when compared to the 15 aa sequence peptides. Therefore, the entire epitope hot spots, spanning up to ~30 aa, would have more potential than peptides of only 15 aa to serve as antigens in diagnostic tests and vaccine developments.