title: Molecular phylogeny and evolution of the proteins encoded by coleoid (cuttlefish, octopus, and squid) posterior venom glands.
abstract: In this study, we report for the first time a detailed evaluation of the phylogenetic history and molecular evolution of the major coleoid toxins: CAP, carboxypeptidase, chitinase, metalloprotease GON-domain, hyaluronidase, pacifastin, PLA2, SE-cephalotoxin and serine proteases, with the carboxypeptidase and GON-domain documented for the first time in the coleoid venom arsenal. We show that although a majority of sites in these coleoid venom-encoding genes have evolved under the regime of negative selection, a very small proportion of sites are influenced by the transient selection pressures. Moreover, nearly 70 % of these episodically adapted sites are confined to the molecular surface, highlighting the importance of variation of the toxin surface chemistry. Coleoid venoms were revealed to be as complex as other venoms that have traditionally been the recipient of the bulk of research efforts. The presence of multiple peptide/protein types in coleoids similar to those present in other animal venoms identifies a convergent strategy, revealing new information as to what characteristics make a peptide/protein type amenable for recruitment into chemical arsenals. Coleoid venoms have significant potential not only for understanding fundamental aspects of venom evolution but also as an untapped source of novel toxins for use in drug design and discovery.
authors: Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St. Lucia, QLD, 4072, Australia.
authors: Tim
authors: T
authors: Ruder
authors: Kartik
authors: K
authors: Sunagar
authors: Eivind A B
authors: EA
authors: Undheim
authors: Syed A
authors: SA
authors: Ali
authors: Tak-Cheung
authors: TC
authors: Wai
authors: Dolyce H W
authors: DH
authors: Low
authors: Timothy N W
authors: TN
authors: Jackson
authors: Glenn F
authors: GF
authors: King
authors: Agostinho
authors: A
authors: Antunes
authors: Bryan G
authors: BG
authors: Fry
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000825:Animal Structures / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D017124:Conserved Sequence; D049832:Decapodiformes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005397:Fish Venoms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D015723:Gene Library; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D008978:Mollusk Venoms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D009154:Mutation; D049831:Octopodiformes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics; D010802:Phylogeny; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D012641:Selection, Genetic; D014688:Venoms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D005397:Fish Venoms; D008978:Mollusk Venoms; D011506:Proteins; D014688:Venoms; C106709:pacifastin