scholarly journals Dissecting Toxicity: The Venom Gland Transcriptome and the Venom Proteome of the Highly Venomous Scorpion Centruroides limpidus (Karsch, 1879)

Toxins ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jimena I. Cid-Uribe ◽  
Erika P. Meneses ◽  
Cesar V. F. Batista ◽  
Ernesto Ortiz ◽  
Lourival D. Possani
Keyword(s):  
Ion Channel ◽  
High Throughput Sequencing ◽  
Venom Gland ◽  
K Channel ◽  
Rna Seq ◽  
Illumina Platform ◽  
Host Defense Peptides ◽  
Venom Glands ◽  
Mass Spectometry ◽  
First Time

Venom glands and soluble venom from the Mexican scorpion Centruroides limpidus (Karsch, 1879) were used for transcriptomic and proteomic analyses, respectively. An RNA-seq was performed by high-throughput sequencing with the Illumina platform. Approximately 80 million reads were obtained and assembled into 198,662 putative transcripts, of which 11,058 were annotated by similarity to sequences from available databases. A total of 192 venom-related sequences were identified, including Na+ and K+ channel-acting toxins, enzymes, host defense peptides, and other venom components. The most diverse transcripts were those potentially coding for ion channel-acting toxins, mainly those active on Na+ channels (NaScTx). Sequences corresponding to β- scorpion toxins active of K+ channels (KScTx) and λ-KScTx are here reported for the first time for a scorpion of the genus Centruroides. Mass fingerprint corroborated that NaScTx are the most abundant components in this venom. Liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectometry (LC-MS/MS) allowed the identification of 46 peptides matching sequences encoded in the transcriptome, confirming their expression in the venom. This study corroborates that, in the venom of toxic buthid scorpions, the more abundant and diverse components are ion channel-acting toxins, mainly NaScTx, while they lack the HDP diversity previously demonstrated for the non-buthid scorpions. The highly abundant and diverse antareases explain the pancreatitis observed after envenomation by this species.

scholarly journals Proteomics and Deep Sequencing Comparison of Seasonally Active Venom Glands in the Platypus Reveals Novel Venom Peptides and Distinct Expression Profiles

2012 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 1354-1364 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily S. W. Wong ◽  
David Morgenstern ◽  
Ehtesham Mofiz ◽  
Sara Gombert ◽  
Katrina M. Morris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
Expression Profiles ◽  
Gene Expression Profiles ◽  
Venom Gland ◽  
Rna Seq ◽  
Growth Differentiation Factor 15 ◽  
Stress Response Pathway ◽  
Venom Glands ◽  
Venom Evolution ◽  
Venom Proteins

The platypus is a venomous monotreme. Male platypuses possess a spur on their hind legs that is connected to glands in the pelvic region. They produce venom only during the breeding season, presumably to fight off conspecifics. We have taken advantage of this unique seasonal production of venom to compare the transcriptomes of in- and out-of-season venom glands, in conjunction with proteomic analysis, to identify previously undiscovered venom genes. Comparison of the venom glands revealed distinct gene expression profiles that are consistent with changes in venom gland morphology and venom volumes in and out of the breeding season. Venom proteins were identified through shot-gun sequenced venom proteomes of three animals using RNA-seq-derived transcripts for peptide-spectral matching. 5,157 genes were expressed in the venom glands, 1,821 genes were up-regulated in the in-season gland, and 10 proteins were identified in the venom. New classes of platypus-venom proteins identified included antimicrobials, amide oxidase, serpin protease inhibitor, proteins associated with the mammalian stress response pathway, cytokines, and other immune molecules. Five putative toxins have only been identified in platypus venom: growth differentiation factor 15, nucleobindin-2, CD55, a CXC-chemokine, and corticotropin-releasing factor-binding protein. These novel venom proteins have potential biomedical and therapeutic applications and provide insights into venom evolution.

scholarly journals Proteo-Transcriptomic Characterization of Sirex nitobei (Hymenoptera: Siricidae) Venom

Toxins ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 562
Author(s):  
Chenglong Gao ◽  
Lili Ren ◽  
Ming Wang ◽  
Zhengtong Wang ◽  
Ningning Fu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Coniferous Forest ◽  
Venom Gland ◽  
Crude Venom ◽  
Symbiotic Fungus ◽  
Host Trees ◽  
Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass ◽  
Venom Glands ◽  
Encoding Protein ◽  
First Time

The wood-boring woodwasp Sirex nitobei is a native pest in Asia, infecting and weakening the host trees in numerous ecological and commercial coniferous forest plantations. In China, hosts of S. nitobei are diverse, so the pest has spread to several provinces of China, resulting in considerable economic and ecological damage. During female oviposition, S. nitobei venom along with arthrospores of the symbiotic fungus Amylostereum areolatum or A. chaetica is injected into host trees, and the combination of these two biological factors causes the death of xylem host trees. The presence of venom alone causes only the yellowing and wilting of needles. In this study, we constructed the venom gland transcriptome of S. nitobei for the first time and a total of 15,036 unigenes were acquired. From the unigenes, 11,560 ORFs were identified and 537 encoding protein sequences with signal peptides at the N-terminus. Then, we used the venomics approach to characterize the venom composition of female S. nitobei and predicted 1095 proteins by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis. We focused on seven proteins that were both highly expressed in the venom gland transcriptome and predicted in the crude venom proteome. These seven proteins are laccase-2, laccase-3, a protein belonging to the Kazal family, chitooligosaccharidolytic β-N-acetylglucosaminidase, beta-galactosidase, icarapin-like protein, and waprin-Thr1-like protein. Using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), we also proved that the genes related to these seven proteins are specifically expressed in the venom glands. Finally, we revealed the functional role of S. nitobei venom in the physiological response of host trees. It can not only promote the colonization of symbiotic fungus but contribute to the development of eggs and larvae. This study provides a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanism of the woodwasp–pine interaction.

scholarly journals Conotoxin Diversity in the Venom Gland Transcriptome of the Magician’s Cone, Pionoconus magus

Marine Drugs ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (10) ◽  
pp. 553 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pardos-Blas ◽  
Irisarri ◽  
Abalde ◽  
Tenorio ◽  
Zardoya
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Ocean ◽  
Differential Expression ◽  
Venom Gland ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Rna Seq ◽  
Additional Specimen ◽  
Signal Region ◽  
Venom Glands ◽  
Total Diversity

The transcriptomes of the venom glands of two individuals of the magician’s cone, Pionoconus magus, from Okinawa (Japan) were sequenced, assembled, and annotated. In addition, RNA-seq raw reads available at the SRA database from one additional specimen of P. magus from the Philippines were also assembled and annotated. The total numbers of identified conotoxin precursors and hormones per specimen were 118, 112, and 93. The three individuals shared only five identical sequences whereas the two specimens from Okinawa had 30 sequences in common. The total number of distinct conotoxin precursors and hormones for P. magus was 275, and were assigned to 53 conotoxin precursor and hormone superfamilies, two of which were new based on their divergent signal region. The superfamilies that had the highest number of precursors were M (42), O1 (34), T (27), A (18), O2 (17), and F (13), accounting for 55% of the total diversity. The D superfamily, previously thought to be exclusive of vermivorous cones was found in P. magus and contained a highly divergent mature region. Similarly, the A superfamily alpha 4/3 was found in P. magus despite the fact that it was previously postulated to be almost exclusive of the genus Rhombiconus. Differential expression analyses of P. magus compared to Chelyconus ermineus, the only fish-hunting cone from the Atlantic Ocean revealed that M and A2 superfamilies appeared to be more expressed in the former whereas the O2 superfamily was more expressed in the latter.

scholarly journals Transcriptome Profile Alterations with Carbon Nanotubes, Quantum Dots, and Silver Nanoparticles: A Review

Genes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 794
Author(s):  
Cullen Horstmann ◽  
Victoria Davenport ◽  
Min Zhang ◽  
Alyse Peters ◽  
Kyoungtae Kim
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Nanotubes ◽  
Quantum Dots ◽  
High Throughput Sequencing ◽  
The Body ◽  
Rna Seq ◽  
Mechanisms Of Toxicity ◽  
Promising Tool ◽  
Engineered Nanomaterial ◽  
Next Generation Sequencing Ngs ◽  
Transcriptomic Changes

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology has revolutionized sequence-based research. In recent years, high-throughput sequencing has become the method of choice in studying the toxicity of chemical agents through observing and measuring changes in transcript levels. Engineered nanomaterial (ENM)-toxicity has become a major field of research and has adopted microarray and newer RNA-Seq methods. Recently, nanotechnology has become a promising tool in the diagnosis and treatment of several diseases in humans. However, due to their high stability, they are likely capable of remaining in the body and environment for long periods of time. Their mechanisms of toxicity and long-lasting effects on our health is still poorly understood. This review explores the effects of three ENMs including carbon nanotubes (CNTs), quantum dots (QDs), and Ag nanoparticles (AgNPs) by cross examining publications on transcriptomic changes induced by these nanomaterials.

Exploring the plant environmental DNA diversity in soil from two sites on Deception Island (Antarctica, South Shetland Islands) using metabarcoding

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Micheline Carvalho-Silva ◽  
Luiz Henrique Rosa ◽  
Otávio H.B. Pinto ◽  
Thamar Holanda Da Silva ◽  
Diego Knop Henriques ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Throughput Sequencing ◽  
Crater Lake ◽  
Environmental Dna ◽  
Food Sources ◽  
South Shetland Islands ◽  
Deception Island ◽  
Shetland Islands ◽  
Operational Taxonomic Units ◽  
First Time ◽  
Impacted Site

Abstract The few Antarctic studies to date to have applied metabarcoding in Antarctica have primarily focused on microorganisms. In this study, for the first time, we apply high-throughput sequencing of environmental DNA to investigate the diversity of Embryophyta (Viridiplantae) DNA present in soil samples from two contrasting locations on Deception Island. The first was a relatively undisturbed site within an Antarctic Specially Protected Area at Crater Lake, and the second was a heavily human-impacted site in Whalers Bay. In samples obtained at Crater Lake, 84% of DNA reads represented fungi, 14% represented Chlorophyta and 2% represented Streptophyta, while at Whalers Bay, 79% of reads represented fungi, 20% represented Chlorophyta and < 1% represented Streptophyta, with ~1% of reads being unassigned. Among the Embryophyta we found 16 plant operational taxonomic units from three Divisions, including one Marchantiophyta, eight Bryophyta and seven Magnoliophyta. Sequences of six taxa were detected at both sampling sites, eight only at Whalers Bay and two only at Crater Lake. All of the Magnoliophyta sequences (flowering plants) represent species that are exotic to Antarctica, with most being plausibly linked to human food sources originating from local national research operator and tourism facilities.

scholarly journals lncRNA CASC19 Contributes to Radioresistance of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma by Promoting Autophagy via AMPK-mTOR Pathway

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 1407
Author(s):  
Hongxia Liu ◽  
Wang Zheng ◽  
Qianping Chen ◽  
Yuchuan Zhou ◽  
Yan Pan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma ◽  
Cell Line ◽  
Malignant Tumors ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Mtor Pathway ◽  
Rna Seq ◽  
Cellular Autophagy ◽  
First Time

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is one of the most frequent head and neck malignant tumors and is majorly treated by radiotherapy. However, radiation resistance remains a serious obstacle to the successful treatment of NPC. The aim of this study was to discover the underlying mechanism of radioresistance and to elucidate novel genes that may play important roles in the regulation of NPC radiosensitivity. By using RNA-seq analysis of NPC cell line CNE2 and its radioresistant cell line CNE2R, lncRNA CASC19 was screened out as a candidate radioresistance marker. Both in vitro and in vivo data demonstrated that a high expression level of CASC19 was positively correlated with the radioresistance of NPC, and the radiosensitivity of NPC cells was considerably enhanced by knockdown of CASC19. The incidence of autophagy was enhanced in CNE2R in comparison with CNE2 and another NPC cell line HONE1, and silencing autophagy with LC3 siRNA (siLC3) sensitized NPC cells to irradiation. Furthermore, CASC19 siRNA (siCASC19) suppressed cellular autophagy by inhibiting the AMPK/mTOR pathway and promoted apoptosis through the PARP1 pathway. Our results revealed for the first time that lncRNA CASC19 contributed to the radioresistance of NPC by regulating autophagy. In significance, CASC19 might be a potential molecular biomarker and a new therapeutic target in NPC.

scholarly journals Neuromuscular junction-specific genes screening by deep RNA-seq analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tiankun Hui ◽  
Hongyang Jing ◽  
Xinsheng Lai
Keyword(s):  
Ion Channel ◽  
Neuromuscular Junctions ◽  
Gene Set Enrichment Analysis ◽  
Differentially Expressed ◽  
Muscle Membrane ◽  
Receptor Interaction ◽  
Specific Gene ◽  
Rna Seq ◽  
Channel Activity ◽  
Ppi Networks

Abstract Background Neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) are chemical synapses formed between motor neurons and skeletal muscle fibers and are essential for controlling muscle contraction. NMJ dysfunction causes motor disorders, muscle wasting, and even breathing difficulties. Increasing evidence suggests that many NMJ disorders are closely related to alterations in specific gene products that are highly concentrated in the synaptic region of the muscle. However, many of these proteins are still undiscovered. Thus, screening for NMJ-specific proteins is essential for studying NMJ and the pathogenesis of NMJ diseases. Results In this study, synaptic regions (SRs) and nonsynaptic regions (NSRs) of diaphragm samples from newborn (P0) and adult (3-month-old) mice were used for RNA-seq. A total of 92 and 182 genes were identified as differentially expressed between the SR and NSR in newborn and adult mice, respectively. Meanwhile, a total of 1563 genes were identified as differentially expressed between the newborn SR and adult SR. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analyses, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis and gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) of the DEGs were performed. Protein–protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed using STRING and Cytoscape. Further analysis identified some novel proteins and pathways that may be important for NMJ development, maintenance and maturation. Specifically, Sv2b, Ptgir, Gabrb3, P2rx3, Dlgap1 and Rims1 may play roles in NMJ development. Hcn1 may localize to the muscle membrane to regulate NMJ maintenance. Trim63, Fbxo32 and several Asb family proteins may regulate muscle developmental-related processes. Conclusion Here, we present a complete dataset describing the spatiotemporal transcriptome changes in synaptic genes and important synaptic pathways. The neuronal projection-related pathway, ion channel activity and neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction pathway are important for NMJ development. The myelination and voltage-gated ion channel activity pathway may be important for NMJ maintenance. These data will facilitate the understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the development and maintenance of NMJ and the pathogenesis of NMJ disorders.

scholarly journals A transcription-based mechanism for oncogenic β-catenin-induced lethality in BRCA1/2-deficient cells

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca A. Dagg ◽  
Gijs Zonderland ◽  
Emilia Puig Lombardi ◽  
Giacomo G. Rossetti ◽  
Florian J. Groelly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dna Damage ◽  
Replication Fork ◽  
High Throughput Sequencing ◽  
Germline Mutations ◽  
Cdk Inhibitor ◽  
Rna Seq ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
Origin Firing ◽  
Replication Fork Progression ◽  
Transcriptional Alterations

AbstractBRCA1 or BRCA2 germline mutations predispose to breast, ovarian and other cancers. High-throughput sequencing of tumour genomes revealed that oncogene amplification and BRCA1/2 mutations are mutually exclusive in cancer, however the molecular mechanism underlying this incompatibility remains unknown. Here, we report that activation of β-catenin, an oncogene of the WNT signalling pathway, inhibits proliferation of BRCA1/2-deficient cells. RNA-seq analyses revealed β-catenin-induced discrete transcriptome alterations in BRCA2-deficient cells, including suppression of CDKN1A gene encoding the CDK inhibitor p21. This accelerates G1/S transition, triggering illegitimate origin firing and DNA damage. In addition, β-catenin activation accelerates replication fork progression in BRCA2-deficient cells, which is critically dependent on p21 downregulation. Importantly, we find that upregulated p21 expression is essential for the survival of BRCA2-deficient cells and tumours. Thus, our work demonstrates that β-catenin toxicity in cancer cells with compromised BRCA1/2 function is driven by transcriptional alterations that cause aberrant replication and inflict DNA damage.

Venom gland morphology in Pepsis pallidolimbata pallidolimbata and biological use and activity of Pepsis venom

1997 ◽  
Vol 75 (7) ◽  
pp. 1014-1019 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Schoeters ◽  
J. Billen ◽  
J. O. Schmidt
Keyword(s):  
Venom Gland ◽  
Social Wasps ◽  
Morphological Organization ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Family ◽  
Venom Glands ◽  
Glandular Structures ◽  
Sibling Family

Spider wasps, i.e., the family Pompilidae, in general, and those belonging to the genus Pepsis in particular, are acknowledged to possess venoms that are algogenic to humans and thus have the parsimonious functions of causing paralysis and providing defense against predators. The morphological organization of the venom system and its complex convoluted gland closely resembles that in social members of the Vespidae. These features distinguish the venom glands of the Pompilidae from those of the sibling family Mutillidae as well as those of the family Sphecidae, which lack convoluted glands. Although the venom glands in Pepsis species are very similar in morphology to those of social vespids, the lethality of Pepsis venom to mammals is several times less than that of the social common wasps. These findings suggest that in terms of the evolution of venom activity and the associated glandular structures, there was apparently no need for social wasps to develop extra parts of the venom system for producing toxic, lethal, or powerful algogenic components. All of the glandular parts of the venom gland of social wasps were already present in pompilids (and eumenids) and, presumably, in their ancestors.

Histochemical Distribution of 5-Nucleotidase in Snake Tissues: Presence of 5-Nucleotidase and Absence of Alkaline Phosphomonoesterase in Venom Glands of the Rattlesnake

1952 ◽  
Vol s3-93 (24) ◽  
pp. 391-394
Author(s):  
D. E. BRAGDON ◽  
J.F. A. MCMANUS
Keyword(s):  
Alkaline Phosphatase ◽  
Smooth Muscle ◽  
Phosphatase Activity ◽  
Alkaline Phosphatase Activity ◽  
Venom Gland ◽  
Specific Alkaline Phosphatase ◽  
Rattlesnake Venom ◽  
Great Vessels ◽  
Venom Glands ◽  
Thyroid Epithelium

1. Activity of the specific alkaline phosphatase, 5-nucleotidase, is intense in the epithelium and secretion of the rattlesnake venom gland. Non-specific alkaline phosphatase activity is lacking. 2. Thyroid epithelium, the smooth muscle of great vessels, and (inconstantly) smooth muscle of abdominal hollow viscera show greater 5-nucleotidase than nonspecific activity. 3. These findings confirm the specificity of 5-nucleotidase.

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