title: Unraveling the venom proteome of the bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) by integrating a combinatorial peptide ligand library approach with FT-ICR MS.
abstract: Within the Apidae, the largest family of bees with over 5600 described species, the honeybee is the sole species with a well studied venom proteome. So far, only little research has focused on bumblebee venom. Recently, the genome sequence of the European large earth bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) became available and this allowed the first in-depth proteomic analysis of its venom composition. We identified 57 compounds, with 52 of them never described in bumblebee venom. Remarkably, 72% of the detected compounds were found to have a honeybee venom homolog, which reflects the similar defensive function of both venoms and the high degree of homology between both genomes. However, both venoms contain a selection of species-specific toxins, revealing distinct damaging effects that may have evolved in response to species-specific attackers. Further, this study extends the list of potential venom allergens. The availability of both the honeybee and bumblebee venom proteome may help to develop a strategy that solves the current issue of false double sensitivity in allergy diagnosis, which is caused by cross-reactivity between both venoms. A correct diagnosis is important as it is recommended to perform an immunotherapy with venom of the culprit species.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Zoophysiology, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281, S2, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium. Electronic address: Matthias.VanVaerenbergh@UGent.be.
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Van Vaerenbergh
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Protein Biochemistry and Biomolecular Engineering, Ghent University, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Griet
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Debyser
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Agrozoology, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Guy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Smagghe
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Protein Biochemistry and Biomolecular Engineering, Ghent University, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Bart
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Devreese
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Zoophysiology, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281, S2, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium.
authors.forename: Dirk C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: de Graaf
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001514:Bee Venoms / Q000737:chemistry*; D001516:Bees; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D008024:Ligands; D019151:Peptide Library; D020543:Proteome / Q000032:analysis*; D040901:Proteomics; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D001514:Bee Venoms; D019476:Insect Proteins; D008024:Ligands; D019151:Peptide Library; D020543:Proteome
keywords: Bumblebee; Fourier transform-ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry; Hymenoptera; Proteomics; Venom; Venom allergy