Citation

Zobel-Thropp PA, Correa SM, Garb JE, Binford GJ. J. Proteome Res. 2014; 13(2): 817-835.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, American Chemical Society)

DOI

10.1021/pr400875s

PMID

24303891

Abstract

Spiders from the family Scytodidae have a unique prey capturing technique - they spit a zig-zagged silken glue to tether prey to a surface. Effectiveness of this sticky mixture is based on a combination of contraction and adhesion trapping prey until the spider immobilizes it by envenomation and then feeds. We identify components expressed in Scytodes thoracica venom glands using combined transcriptomic and proteomic analyses. These include homologs of toxic proteins astacin metalloproteases and potentially toxic proteins including venom allergen, longistatin and translationally controlled tumor protein (TCTP). We classify 19 distinct groups of candidate peptide toxins; 13 of these were detected in the venom making up 35% of the proteome. Six have significant similarity to toxins from spider species spanning mygalomorph and non-haplogyne araneomorph lineages, suggesting their expression in venom is phylogenetically widespread. Twelve peptide toxin groups have homologs in venom gland transcriptomes of other haplogynes. Of the transcripts, approximately 50% encode glycine-rich peptides that may contribute to sticky fibers in Scytodes spit. Fifty-one percent of the identified venom proteome is a family of proteins that is homologous to sequences from Drosophila sp. and Latrodectus hesperus with uncharacterized function. Characterization of these components holds promise for discovering new functional activity.

Language: en