title: Venom Profiling of a Population of the Theraphosid Spider Phlogius crassipes Reveals Continuous Ontogenetic Changes from Juveniles through Adulthood.
abstract: Theraphosid spiders (tarantulas) are venomous arthropods found in most tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Tarantula venoms are a complex cocktail of toxins with potential use as pharmacological tools, drugs and bioinsecticides. Although numerous toxins have been isolated from tarantula venoms, little research has been carried out on the venom of Australian tarantulas. We therefore investigated the venom profile of the Australian theraphosid spiderPhlogius crassipesand examined whether there are ontogenetic changes in venom composition. Spiders were divided into four ontogenic groups according to cephalothorax length, then the venom composition of each group was examined using gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry. We found that the venom ofP. crassipeschanges continuously during development and throughout adulthood. Our data highlight the need to investigate the venom of organisms over the course of their lives to uncover and understand the changing functions of venom and the full range of toxins expressed. This in turn should lead to a deeper understanding of the organism's ecology and enhance the potential for biodiscovery.
authors.affiliation: Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia. renan.castrosantana@uq.net.au.|Terrestrial Biodiversity, Queensland Museum, South Brisbane BC, QLD 4101, Australia. renan.castrosantana@uq.net.au.
authors.forename: Renan C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Santana
authors.affiliation: Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia. davidcp@uci.edu.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Perez
authors.affiliation: Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia. james.dobson@uqconnect.edu.au.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dobson
authors.affiliation: Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia. nadya.panagides@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Nadya
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Panagides
authors.affiliation: Terrestrial Biodiversity, Queensland Museum, South Brisbane BC, QLD 4101, Australia. robert.raven@qm.qld.gov.au.
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Raven
authors.affiliation: School of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia. a.nouwens@uq.edu.au.
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nouwens
authors.affiliation: Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia. a.jones@imb.uq.edu.au.
authors.forename: Alun
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.affiliation: Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia. glenn.king@imb.uq.edu.au.
authors.forename: Glenn F
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: King
authors.affiliation: Venom Evolution Lab, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia. bgfry@uq.edu.au.
authors.forename: Bryan G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Fry
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D060829:Arthropod Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D040901:Proteomics; D013111:Spider Venoms / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D013112:Spiders / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D060829:Arthropod Proteins; D013111:Spider Venoms
keywords: LC/MS-MS; age; mass spectrometry; proteomic; tarantula; toxins