Abstract
BackgroundTranscrof toxin genes of scorpion species have been published. Up to this moment, no information on the gene characterization of M. gibbosus is available.ResultsThis study provides the first insight into gene expression in venom glands from M. gibbosus scorpion. A cDNA library was generated from the venom glands and subsequently analyzed (301 clones). Sequences from 177 high-quality ESTs were grouped as 48 Mgib sequences, of those 48 sequences, 40 (29 “singletons” and 11 “contigs”) correspond with one or more ESTs. We identified putative precursor sequences and were grouped them in different categories (39 unique transcripts, one with alternative reading frames), resulting in the identification of 12 new toxin-like and 5 antimicrobial precursors (transcripts). The analysis of the gene families revealed several new components categorized among various toxin families with effect on ion channels. Sequence analysis of a new KTx precursor provides evidence to validate a new KTx subfamily (α-KTx 27.x). A second part of this work involves the genomic organization of three Meg-chlorotoxin-like genes (ClTxs). Genomic DNA sequence reveals close similarities (presence of one same-phase intron) with the sole genomic organization of chlorotoxins ever reported (from M. martensii).ConclusionsTranscriptome analysis is a powerful strategy that provides complete information of the gene expression and molecular diversity of the venom glands (telson). In this work, we generated the first catalogue of the gene expression and genomic organization of toxins from M. gibbosus. Our result represents a relevant contribution to the knowledge of toxin transcripts and complementary information related with other cell function proteins and venom peptide transcripts. The genomic organization of the chlorotoxin genes may help to understand the diversity of this gene family.
Highlights
Transcriptome approaches have revealed a diversity of venom compounds from a number of venomous species
Analysis of cDNA sequences and identification of new genes A cDNA library from M. gibbosus scorpion was constructed with mRNA extracted from a telson with a pair of venom glands from one specimen as previously described [10]
The cDNA library clones were selected by PCR fragments, sequenced and analyzed via Phred, CAP3 and algorithms described in methods
Summary
Transcriptome approaches have revealed a diversity of venom compounds from a number of venomous species. Only a very small number of reports on the genomic organization of toxin genes of scorpion species have been published. Up to this moment, no information on the gene characterization of M. gibbosus is available. From a clinical perspective, Buthidae is the most important scorpion family [4] Several members of this family are toxic to mammals and can be dangerous to humans [3]. Scorpion biodiversity is reflected in more than 134,000 – 1050,000 distinct natural ligands This value considers the number of described species and the data of the different venom analyses yielding the characterization of approx. We have discovered less than 1% of all venom components, despite the strong efforts made in this vast field to get knowledge about its considerable diversity
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