title: Biochemical and gene expression analyses of conotoxins in Conus textile venom ducts.
abstract: Each Conus snail species produces 50-200 unique peptide-based conotoxins, derived from a number of different gene superfamilies. Conotoxins are synthesized and secreted in a long venom duct, but biochemical and molecular aspects of their biosynthesis remain poorly understood. Here, we analyzed expression patterns of conotoxin genes belonging to different superfamilies in Conus textile venom ducts. The results demonstrate that specific gene families are expressed in particular regions of the venom duct. Biochemical analysis using liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry revealed an even more localized accumulation of individual conotoxins. This study demonstrates for the first time that specialization of gene expression, processing, and secretion of conotoxins occurs in different regions of the venom duct.
authors.affiliation: Cognetix, Inc., 421 Wakara Way, Suite 201, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA.
authors.forename: James E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Garrett
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Buczek
authors.forename: Maren
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Watkins
authors.forename: Baldomero M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Olivera
authors.forename: Grzegorz
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bulaj
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D020916:Conotoxins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling / Q000379:methods*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009928:Organ Specificity; D012908:Snails / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014018:Tissue Distribution
chemical_list: D020916:Conotoxins