Venomics survey of six myrmicine ants provides insights into the molecular and structural diversity of their peptide toxins
peer-reviewed · Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology · 2022
| Date | 2022-12-01 |
| Type | peer-reviewed |
| Venue | Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology |
| Publisher | Elsevier BV |
| Contribution | downstream-application |
| DOI | 10.1016/j.ibmb.2022.103876 |
| Citations (OpenAlex) | 14 |
Abstract
Among ants, Myrmicinae represents the most speciose subfamily. The venom composition previously described for these social insects is extremely variable, with alkaloids predominant in some genera while, conversely, proteomics studies have revealed that some myrmicine ant venoms are peptide-rich. Using integrated transcriptomic and proteomic approaches, we characterized the venom peptidomes of six ants belonging to the different tribes of Myrmicinae. We identified a total of 79 myrmicitoxins precursors which can be classified into 38 peptide families according to their mature sequences. Myrmicine ant venom peptidomes showed heterogeneous compositions, with linear and disulfide-bonded monomers as well as dimeric toxins. Several peptide families were exclusive to a single venom whereas some were retrieved in multiple species. A hierarchical clustering analysis of precursor signal sequences led us to divide the myrmicitoxins precursors into eight families, including some that have already been described in other aculeate hymenoptera such as secapin-like peptides and voltage-gated sodium channel (Na V) toxins. Evolutionary and structural analyses of two representatives of these families highlighted variation and conserved patterns that might be crucial to explain myrmicine venom peptide functional adaptations to biological targets.
Methods and tools
- Myrmicine ant venom peptidomes (six species): Venom peptidomes of six myrmicine ants characterised by integrating transcriptomics with PEAKS de novo sequencing of venom peptides, defining 79 myrmicitoxin precursors in 38 families.
Methods it uses
- PEAKS: Commercial DP-based de novo
Data deposited
- Peptide diversity of myrmicine ant venoms — as deposited · PXD033547
Cites (4)
- Venom Peptide Repertoire of the European Myrmicine Ant Manica rubida: Identification of Insecticidal Toxins (2020) crossref
- The Peptide Venom Composition of the Fierce Stinging Ant Tetraponera aethiops (Formicidae: Pseudomyrmecinae) (2019) crossref
- Proteomic Analysis of the Venom from the Ruby Ant Myrmica rubra and the Isolation of a Novel Insecticidal Decapeptide (2019) crossref
- Deciphering the Molecular Diversity of an Ant Venom Peptidome through a Venomics Approach (2018) crossref