Proteotranscriptomic Insights into the Venom Composition of the Wolf Spider Lycosa tarantula.

Dominique Koua,Celia Barrachina,Khadija El Koulali,Pierre Charnet,Rosanna Mary,Guillaume Cazals,Anicet Ebou,Sebastien Dutertre

doi:10.3390/toxins12080501

Abstract

Spider venoms represent an original source of novel compounds with therapeutic and agrochemical potential. Whereas most of the research efforts have focused on large mygalomorph spiders, araneomorph spiders are equally promising but require more sensitive and sophisticated approaches given their limited size and reduced venom yield. Belonging to the latter group, the genus Lycosa (“wolf spiders”) contains many species widely distributed throughout the world. These spiders are ambush predators that do not build webs but instead rely strongly on their venom for prey capture. Lycosa tarantula is one of the largest species of wolf spider, but its venom composition is unknown. Using a combination of RNA sequencing of the venom glands and venom proteomics, we provide the first overview of the peptides and proteins produced by this iconic Mediterranean spider. Beside the typical small disulfide rich neurotoxins, several families of proteins were also identified, including cysteine-rich secretory proteins (CRISP) and Hyaluronidases. Proteomic analysis of the electrically stimulated venom validated 30 of these transcriptomic sequences, including nine putative neurotoxins and eight venom proteins. Interestingly, LC-MS venom profiles of manual versus electric stimulation, as well as female versus male, showed some marked differences in mass distribution. Finally, we also present some preliminary data on the biological activity of L. tarantula crude venom.

Highlights

Animal venoms consist of a complex mixture of bioactives, including small molecules, peptides, and proteins [1,2,3]
The mass distribution showed a similar pattern, more than 50% of the masses detected in female venom were unique and not found in the male venom (Figure 11)
Spider venoms consist of complex mixtures of biologically active compounds that are for the most part gene encoded polypeptides and proteins

Summary

Introduction

Animal venoms consist of a complex mixture of bioactives, including small molecules, peptides, and proteins [1,2,3]. These natural libraries of compounds have evolved to target specific ion channels and receptors, and they are actively being mined to discover new pharmacological probes and. Spiders represent one of the most speciose invertebrate group, with more than 48,000 species described to date [1]. Besides a sister clade known as the Mesothelae, spiders are broadly divided into the mygalomorphs (“ancient spiders”), the araneomorphs (“modern spiders”), the latter containing the vast majority of described species,

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Conclusion