Venomics survey of six myrmicine ants provides insights into the molecular and structural diversity of their peptide toxins.
Insect Biochem Mol Biol
; 151: 103876, 2022 12.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-36410579
ABSTRACT
Among ants, Myrmicinae represents the most speciose subfamily. The venom composition previously described for these social insects is extremely variable, with alkaloids predominant in some genera while, conversely, proteomics studies have revealed that some myrmicine ant venoms are peptide-rich. Using integrated transcriptomic and proteomic approaches, we characterized the venom peptidomes of six ants belonging to the different tribes of Myrmicinae. We identified a total of 79 myrmicitoxins precursors which can be classified into 38 peptide families according to their mature sequences. Myrmicine ant venom peptidomes showed heterogeneous compositions, with linear and disulfide-bonded monomers as well as dimeric toxins. Several peptide families were exclusive to a single venom whereas some were retrieved in multiple species. A hierarchical clustering analysis of precursor signal sequences led us to divide the myrmicitoxins precursors into eight families, including some that have already been described in other aculeate hymenoptera such as secapin-like peptides and voltage-gated sodium channel (NaV) toxins. Evolutionary and structural analyses of two representatives of these families highlighted variation and conserved patterns that might be crucial to explain myrmicine venom peptide functional adaptations to biological targets.
Palabras clave
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Banco de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
Hormigas
/
Venenos de Hormiga
Tipo de estudio:
Prognostic_studies
Límite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Insect Biochem Mol Biol
Asunto de la revista:
BIOLOGIA MOLECULAR
/
BIOQUIMICA
Año:
2022
Tipo del documento:
Article