Citation

Safavi-Hemami H, Young ND, Williamson NA, Purcell AW. J. Proteome Res. 2010; 9(11): 5610-5619.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, American Chemical Society)

DOI

10.1021/pr100431x

PMID

20818826

Abstract

This study uses proteomics to elucidate venom translocation and delivery in marine cone snails. These species have evolved complex venoms, which upon prey discovery, are loaded into a harpoon-like radula tooth and rapidly injected into the prey to cause immediate paralysis. Whilst the venom components of cone snails have been intensively characterised the mechanism of venom translocation and loading prior to and during injection remains unknown. Here, we use a combination of proteomics, molecular biology and morphological examination to elucidate the potential role of the venom bulb in venom translocation and biosynthesis. Analysis of the venom bulb proteome clearly demonstrated a function of this organ in muscular movement whilst proteins characteristic for venom biosynthesis were absent. Utilizing proteomic data we sequenced and further characterised arginine kinase, a key protein of burst muscle contraction in invertebrates. Based on our findings we suggest that venom delivery is driven by burst contraction of the venom bulb rapidly forcing the venom through the radula tooth into the prey. As such this study highlights the utility of a systems biology, and proteomics in particular, approach to understand a fundamental physiological process in this marine invertebrate.

Language: en