Convergent evolution of pain-inducing defensive venom components in spitting cobras

 

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Dettagli Bibliografici
Autori: Kazandjian, Taline, Petras, Daniel, Van Thiel, Jory, Greene, Harry W., Arbuckle, Kevin, Carter, David, Wouters, Roel M., Whiteley, G., Wagstaff, Simon C., Arias, Ana S., Albulescu, Laura-Olana, Plettenberg Laing, Anthony, Hall, Cara, Heap, Adam, Penrhyn Lowe, Samuel, McCabe, C. V., Ainsworth, Stuart, da Silva, Ricardo, Dorrestein, Pieter C., Richardson, Michael K., Gutiérrez, José María, Calvete, Juan J., Harrison, Robert A., Vetter, Irina, Undheim, Eivind Andreas Baste, Wüster, Wolfgang, Casewell, Nicolas R., Robinson, Dale, Barlow, Axel
Natura: artículo original
Data di pubblicazione:2021
Descrizione:Convergent evolution provides insights into the selective drivers underlying evolutionary change. Snake venoms, with a direct genetic basis and clearly defined functional phenotype, provide a model system for exploring the repeated evolution of adaptations. While snakes use venom primarily for predation, and venom composition often reflects diet specificity, three lineages of cobras have independently evolved the ability to spit venom at adversaries. Using gene, protein, and functional analyses, we show that the three spitting lineages possess venoms characterized by an up-regulation of phospholipase A2 (PLA2) toxins, which potentiate the action of preexisting venom cytotoxins to activate mammalian sensory neurons and cause enhanced pain. These repeated independent changes provide a fascinating example of convergent evolution across multiple phenotypic levels driven by selection for defense.
Stato:Kérwá
Istituzione:Universidad de Costa Rica
Repositorio:Kérwá
Lingua:Inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:kerwa.ucr.ac.cr:10669/104883
Accesso online:https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abb9303
https://hdl.handle.net/10669/104883
https://doi.org/10.1126/science.abb9303
Keyword:Snake venoms
phenotype
composition
Cobras
A2 (PLA2)

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