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Wang X, Li W, Yang X, Yang M, Gu Y, Du Z, Yang J, Wen M, Park Y, Huang C, He Y. Insecticidal activities of three recombinant venom proteins of the predatory stink bug, Arma custos. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2024. [PMID: 39166741 DOI: 10.1002/ps.8382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 08/04/2024] [Accepted: 08/07/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Widespread resistance of insect pests to insecticides and transgenic crops in the field is a significant challenge for sustainable agriculture, and calls for the development of novel alternative strategies to control insect pests. One potential resource for the discovery of novel insecticidal molecules is natural toxins, particularly those derived from the venoms of insect predators. RESULTS In this study, we identified three insecticidal proteinaceous toxins from the venom glands (VGs) of the predatory stink bug, Arma custos (Hemiptera: Asopinae). Transcriptomic analysis of A. custos VGs revealed 151 potentially secreted VG-rich venom proteins. Three VG-rich venom proteins (designated AcVP1 ~ 3) were produced by overexpression in Escherichia coli. Injection of the recombinant proteins into tobacco cutworm (Spodoptera litura) larvae showed that all of the three recombinant proteins caused paralysis, liquefaction and death. Injection of recombinant proteins into rice brown planthopper (Nilaparvata lugens) nymphs showed higher insecticidal activities, among which a trypsin (AcVP2) caused 100% mortality postinjection at 1.27 pmol mg-1 body weight. CONCLUSION A natural toolkit for the discovery of insecticidal toxins from predatory insects has been revealed by the present study. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyi Wang
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Wenhong Li
- Institute of Plant Protection, Guizhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Guiyang, China
| | - Xiang Yang
- Guizhou Provincial Tobacco Company Zunyi Branch, Zunyi, China
| | - Mingwei Yang
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Yucheng Gu
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhao Du
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Jingyi Yang
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
| | - Mingxia Wen
- Guizhou Provincial Tobacco Company Zunyi Branch, Zunyi, China
| | - Yoonseong Park
- Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, USA
| | - Chunyang Huang
- Guizhou Provincial Tobacco Company Zunyi Branch, Zunyi, China
| | - Yueping He
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
- National Engineering Research Center of Microbial Pesticides, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, China
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Fischer ML, Schmidtberg H, Tidswell O, Weiss B, Dersch L, Lüddecke T, Wielsch N, Kaltenpoth M, Vilcinskas A, Vogel H. Divergent venom effectors correlate with ecological niche in neuropteran predators. Commun Biol 2024; 7:981. [PMID: 39134630 PMCID: PMC11319779 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-024-06666-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 08/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Neuropteran larvae are fierce predators that use venom to attack and feed on arthropod prey. Neuropterans have adapted to diverse and sometimes extreme habitats, suggesting their venom may have evolved accordingly, but the ecology and evolution of venom deployment in different families is poorly understood. We applied spatial transcriptomics, proteomics, morphological analysis, and bioassays to investigate the venom systems in the antlion Euroleon nostras and the lacewing Chrysoperla carnea, which occupy distinct niches. Although the venom system morphology was similar in both species, we observed remarkable differences at the molecular level. E. nostras produces particularly complex venom secreted from three different glands, indicating functional compartmentalization. Furthermore, E. nostras venom and digestive tissues were devoid of bacteria, strongly suggesting that all venom proteins are of insect origin rather than the products of bacterial symbionts. We identified several toxins exclusive to E. nostras venom, including phospholipase A2 and several undescribed proteins with no homologs in the C. carnea genome. The compositional differences have significant ecological implications because only antlion venom conferred insecticidal activity, indicating its use for the immobilization of large prey. Our results indicate that molecular venom evolution plays a role in the adaptation of antlions to their unique ecological niche.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maike Laura Fischer
- Department of Insect Symbiosis, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany
| | - Henrike Schmidtberg
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
| | - Olivia Tidswell
- Department of Insect Symbiosis, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany
| | - Benjamin Weiss
- Department of Insect Symbiosis, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany
| | - Ludwig Dersch
- Branch Bioresources of the Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Giessen, Germany
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Tim Lüddecke
- Branch Bioresources of the Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Giessen, Germany
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Natalie Wielsch
- Research Group Mass Spectrometry/Proteomics, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany
| | - Martin Kaltenpoth
- Department of Insect Symbiosis, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany
| | - Andreas Vilcinskas
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University, Giessen, Germany
- Branch Bioresources of the Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Giessen, Germany
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Heiko Vogel
- Department of Insect Symbiosis, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany.
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Zhong J, Fox EGP, Ling S, Yan Z, Xu J, Yang H, Hong Z, Qin C, Qiu H. Bioactivities of scent gland chemicals from Mictis fuscipes Hsiao (Hemiptera: Coreidae) on Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2024; 80:2892-2904. [PMID: 38411441 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7997] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Given the chemical diversity within stink bugs scent glands, they can be convenient models for bioprospecting novel pest control products. Preliminary behaviour observations indicated that adult Mictis fuscipes stink bugs secrete liquid droplets when defending against Solenopsis invicta fire ants, killing them within minutes. Hence, this study aimed to analyse the chemical composition of the metathoracic scent gland secretions of M. fuscipes adults, as well as assess their biological activities against fire ants. RESULTS Bioassaying fire ants against secretions of several local stink bugs confirmed that the defensive secretions of two Mictis species are significantly more lethal, where M. fuscipes was the most lethal. Volatiles chromatography analysis indicated the secretions of female and male M. fuscipes stink bugs contains 20 and 26 components, respectively, chiefly hexanoic acid and hexyl hexanoate. Five compounds were consistently present in the secretion of female adults: hexyl hexanoate, hexanoic acid, hexyl acetate, hexyl butyrate, and eugenol. These yielded a strong electrophysiological antennal (EAD) response from S. invicta workers, female alates and males, where hexyl acetate showed the strongest response. The combination of these five compounds proved strongly repellent to S. invicta. When tested singly, hexanoic acid, hexyl butyrate, hexyl hexanoate, and eugenol were repellent to S. invicta, but hexyl acetate seemed slightly attractive. Additionally, the same mixture of five components exhibited strong contact and fumigant toxicity towards S. invicta workers, eugenol being the strongest. CONCLUSION Defensive chemicals of M. fuscipes exhibit robust biological activity against S. invicta and could inspire the development of biopesticides. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiamei Zhong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Silviculture, Protection and Utilization/Guangdong Academy of Forestry, Guangzhou, China
- College of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Eduardo G P Fox
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ambiente e Sociedade (PPGAS), Universidade Estadual de Goiás (UEG), Quirinópolis, Brazil
| | - Siquan Ling
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Silviculture, Protection and Utilization/Guangdong Academy of Forestry, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zheng Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Grassland Agro-Ecosystems and College of Ecology, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Jinzhu Xu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Silviculture, Protection and Utilization/Guangdong Academy of Forestry, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hua Yang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Silviculture, Protection and Utilization/Guangdong Academy of Forestry, Guangzhou, China
| | - Ziqiong Hong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Silviculture, Protection and Utilization/Guangdong Academy of Forestry, Guangzhou, China
| | - Changsheng Qin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Silviculture, Protection and Utilization/Guangdong Academy of Forestry, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hualong Qiu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Silviculture, Protection and Utilization/Guangdong Academy of Forestry, Guangzhou, China
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Wu C, Li L, Wang Y, Wei S, Zhu J. Morphological, functional, compositional and transcriptional constraints shape the distinct venom profiles of the assassin bug Sycanus croceovittatus. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 250:126162. [PMID: 37558034 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.126162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Predatory bugs employ a salivary venom apparatus to generate complex venoms for capturing and digesting prey. The venom apparatus consists of different glands for the production of distinct venom sets, but the underlying mechanisms behind this process remain poorly understood. Here we present a comprehensive analysis of the morphological, functional, compositional and transcriptional characteristics of venoms derived from posterior main gland (PMG), anterior main gland (AMG), and accessory gland (AG) of the assassin bug Sycanus croceovittatus. Structural observations revealed the intricate constructions of the venom apparatus, enabling the production and storage of three distinct venom sets in anatomically varied glands and allowing them to be modulated in a context-dependent manner upon utilization. There were remarkable differences in the biological activities exhibited by PMG, AMG, and AG venoms. Proteotranscriptomic analysis demonstrated that these venoms displayed compositional heterogeneity at both the quantity and variety levels of proteins. Transcriptional profiles of the identified venom proteins revealed gland-specific or biased expression patterns. These findings indicate that the divergence in venom profiles among different glands arises from morphological, functional, compositional and transcriptional constraints on the venom apparatus, reflecting remarkable morphogenesis and regulatory gene networks responsible for the compartmentalized production of venom proteins in different glands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaoyan Wu
- Key Laboeratory of Forest Disaster Warning and Control of Yunnan Province, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, China
| | - Lu Li
- Key Laboeratory of Forest Disaster Warning and Control of Yunnan Province, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, China
| | - Yuqin Wang
- Key Laboeratory of Forest Disaster Warning and Control of Yunnan Province, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, China
| | - Shujun Wei
- Key Laboeratory of Forest Disaster Warning and Control of Yunnan Province, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, China; Institute of Plant Protection, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jiaying Zhu
- Key Laboeratory of Forest Disaster Warning and Control of Yunnan Province, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, China; Key Laboratory for Forest Resources Conservation and Utilization in the Southwest Mountains of China, Ministry of Education, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming, China.
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Mnisi LN, Zondi N, Pikirayi I. Consumptive and Non-Consumptive Uses of Water Beetles ( Aquatic coleopterans) in Sub-Saharan Traditional Rituals. INSECTS 2023; 14:795. [PMID: 37887807 PMCID: PMC10607599 DOI: 10.3390/insects14100795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
The use of wild animals in customary rituals and as a sustenance resource is a longstanding tradition within sub-Saharan Africa. The emergence of commercial trade, has, however, created unattainable demands and has led to the overexploitation of animals. These demands are threatening the conservation of animal species exploited in this trade. Comparatively little research effort has been dedicated to invertebrate species, and, specifically, their non-commercial uses. We explored the uses of water beetles in traditional rituals. We investigate the extent to which each of the non-commercial uses of water beetles exhibits consumptive and non-consumptive use features. The concepts are contested as their application for describing human-animal interactions has been challenged because of insufficient physiological and conservation data on the implications for animals of such interactions. The inadequacy of the available data pertaining to the use of animal resources was particularly pronounced. Most research efforts are skewed towards vertebrates at the expense of invertebrates. Regardless, the study shows that most non-commercial exploitation and uses of water beetles were mainly non-destructive and, if consumptive, the uses could be described as mainly non-lethal consumptive or sub-lethal consumptive. Rituals that could be described as lethal-consumptive comprised a smaller fraction of the uses of water beetles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucky Nhlanhla Mnisi
- Department of African Languages, University of Pretoria, Hatfield 0028, South Africa;
| | - Nompumelelo Zondi
- Department of African Languages, University of Pretoria, Hatfield 0028, South Africa;
| | - Innocent Pikirayi
- Department of Anthropology, Archaeology and Development Studies, University of Pretoria, Hatfield 0028, South Africa;
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Fitzpatrick LLJ, Ligabue-Braun R, Nekaris KAI. Slowly Making Sense: A Review of the Two-Step Venom System within Slow ( Nycticebus spp.) and Pygmy Lorises ( Xanthonycticebus spp.). Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:514. [PMID: 37755940 PMCID: PMC10536643 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15090514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Since the early 2000s, studies of the evolution of venom within animals have rapidly expanded, offering new revelations on the origins and development of venom within various species. The venomous mammals represent excellent opportunities to study venom evolution due to the varying functional usages, the unusual distribution of venom across unrelated mammals and the diverse variety of delivery systems. A group of mammals that excellently represents a combination of these traits are the slow (Nycticebus spp.) and pygmy lorises (Xanthonycticebus spp.) of south-east Asia, which possess the only confirmed two-step venom system. These taxa also present one of the most intriguing mixes of toxic symptoms (cytotoxicity and immunotoxicity) and functional usages (intraspecific competition and ectoparasitic defence) seen in extant animals. We still lack many pieces of the puzzle in understanding how this venom system works, why it evolved what is involved in the venom system and what triggers the toxic components to work. Here, we review available data building upon a decade of research on this topic, focusing especially on why and how this venom system may have evolved. We discuss that research now suggests that venom in slow lorises has a sophisticated set of multiple uses in both intraspecific competition and the potential to disrupt the immune system of targets; we suggest that an exudate diet reveals several toxic plants consumed by slow and pygmy lorises that could be sequestered into their venom and which may help heal venomous bite wounds; we provide the most up-to-date visual model of the brachial gland exudate secretion protein (BGEsp); and we discuss research on a complement component 1r (C1R) protein in saliva that may solve the mystery of what activates the toxicity of slow and pygmy loris venom. We conclude that the slow and pygmy lorises possess amongst the most complex venom system in extant animals, and while we have still a lot more to understand about their venom system, we are close to a breakthrough, particularly with current technological advances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leah Lucy Joscelyne Fitzpatrick
- Nocturnal Primate Research Group, Department of Social Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK
- Centre for Functional Genomics, Department of Health and Life Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK
| | - Rodrigo Ligabue-Braun
- Department of Pharmacosciences, Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre (UFCSPA), Avenida Sarmento Leite 245, Porto Alegre 90050-170, Brazil;
| | - K. Anne-Isola Nekaris
- Nocturnal Primate Research Group, Department of Social Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK
- Centre for Functional Genomics, Department of Health and Life Sciences, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford OX3 0BP, UK
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Qu Y, Walker AA, Meng L, Herzig V, Li B. The Predatory Stink Bug Arma custos (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) Produces a Complex Proteinaceous Venom to Overcome Caterpillar Prey. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:biology12050691. [PMID: 37237505 DOI: 10.3390/biology12050691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Predatory stink bugs capture prey by injecting salivary venom from their venom glands using specialized stylets. Understanding venom function has been impeded by a scarcity of knowledge of their venom composition. We therefore examined the proteinaceous components of the salivary venom of the predatory stink bug Arma custos (Fabricius, 1794) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae). We used gland extracts and venoms from fifth-instar nymphs or adult females to perform shotgun proteomics combined with venom gland transcriptomics. We found that the venom of A. custos comprised a complex suite of over a hundred individual proteins, including oxidoreductases, transferases, hydrolases, ligases, protease inhibitors, and recognition, transport and binding proteins. Besides the uncharacterized proteins, hydrolases such as venom serine proteases, cathepsins, phospholipase A2, phosphatases, nucleases, alpha-amylases, and chitinases constitute the most abundant protein families. However, salivary proteins shared by and unique to other predatory heteropterans were not detected in the A. custos venom. Injection of the proteinaceous (>3 kDa) venom fraction of A. custos gland extracts or venom into its prey, the larvae of the oriental armyworm Mythimna separata (Walker, 1865), revealed insecticidal activity against lepidopterans. Our data expand the knowledge of heteropteran salivary proteins and suggest predatory asopine bugs as a novel source for bioinsecticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuli Qu
- Department of Entomology, School of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD 4556, Australia
| | - Andrew A Walker
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
| | - Ling Meng
- Department of Entomology, School of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Volker Herzig
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD 4556, Australia
- Centre for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD 4556, Australia
| | - Baoping Li
- Department of Entomology, School of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing 210095, China
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Fischer ML, Fabian B, Pauchet Y, Wielsch N, Sachse S, Vilcinskas A, Vogel H. An Assassin's Secret: Multifunctional Cytotoxic Compounds in the Predation Venom of the Assassin Bug Psytalla horrida (Reduviidae, Hemiptera). Toxins (Basel) 2023; 15:toxins15040302. [PMID: 37104240 PMCID: PMC10144120 DOI: 10.3390/toxins15040302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Predatory assassin bugs produce venomous saliva that enables them to overwhelm, kill, and pre-digest large prey animals. Venom from the posterior main gland (PMG) of the African assassin bug Psytalla horrida has strong cytotoxic effects, but the responsible compounds are yet unknown. Using cation-exchange chromatography, we fractionated PMG extracts from P. horrida and screened the fractions for toxicity. Two venom fractions strongly affected insect cell viability, bacterial growth, erythrocyte integrity, and intracellular calcium levels in Drosophila melanogaster olfactory sensory neurons. LC-MS/MS analysis revealed that both fractions contained gelsolin, redulysins, S1 family peptidases, and proteins from the uncharacterized venom protein family 2. Synthetic peptides representing the putative lytic domain of redulysins had strong antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and/or Bacillus subtilis but only weak toxicity towards insect or mammalian cells, indicating a primary role in preventing the intake of microbial pathogens. In contrast, a recombinant venom protein family 2 protein significantly reduced insect cell viability but exhibited no antibacterial or hemolytic activity, suggesting that it plays a role in prey overwhelming and killing. The results of our study show that P. horrida secretes multiple cytotoxic compounds targeting different organisms to facilitate predation and antimicrobial defense.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maike Laura Fischer
- Department of Insect Symbiosis, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Benjamin Fabian
- Research Group Olfactory Coding, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Yannick Pauchet
- Department of Insect Symbiosis, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Natalie Wielsch
- Research Group Mass Spectrometry/Proteomics, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Silke Sachse
- Research Group Olfactory Coding, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, 07745 Jena, Germany
| | - Andreas Vilcinskas
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University, 35392 Giessen, Germany
- Branch Bioresources of the Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Heiko Vogel
- Department of Insect Symbiosis, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, 07745 Jena, Germany
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Fischer ML, Yepes Vivas SA, Wielsch N, Kirsch R, Vilcinskas A, Vogel H. You are what you eat-ecological niche and microhabitat influence venom activity and composition in aquatic bugs. Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20222064. [PMID: 36946119 PMCID: PMC10031423 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.2064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/23/2023] Open
Abstract
True water bugs (Nepomorpha) are mostly predacious insects that live in aquatic habitats. They use their piercing-sucking mouthparts to inject venomous saliva that facilitates the capture and extra-oral digestion of prey animals, but their venom can also be deployed for defence. In Central Europe, nepomorph species representing different families coexist in the same habitat. However, their feeding ecology, including venom composition and deployment, has not been investigated in detail. We used an integrated proteotranscriptomic and bioactivity-based approach to test whether venom composition and activity differ between four water bug species sharing the same habitat but occupying different ecological niches. We found considerable species-dependent differences in the composition of digestive enzymes and venom components that probably evolved as adaptations to particular food sources, foraging strategies and/or microhabitats. The venom of Corixa punctata differed substantially from that of the three strictly predatory species (Ilyocoris cimicoides, Notonecta glauca and Nepa cinerea), and the abundance of herbivory-associated proteins confirms a mostly plant-based diet. Our findings reveal independent adaptations of the digestive and defensive enzyme repertoires accompanied by the evolution of distinct feeding strategies in aquatic bugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maike L. Fischer
- Department of Insect Symbiosis, Max-Planck-Institute for Chemical Ecology, 07745 Jena, Thüringen, Germany
| | - Sol A. Yepes Vivas
- Department of Biochemistry, Max-Planck-Institute for Chemical Ecology, 07745 Jena, Thüringen, Germany
| | - Natalie Wielsch
- Research Group Mass Spectrometry/Proteomics, Max-Planck-Institute for Chemical Ecology, 07745 Jena, Thüringen, Germany
| | - Roy Kirsch
- Department of Insect Symbiosis, Max-Planck-Institute for Chemical Ecology, 07745 Jena, Thüringen, Germany
| | - Andreas Vilcinskas
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus Liebig Universitat Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Hessen, Germany
| | - Heiko Vogel
- Department of Insect Symbiosis, Max-Planck-Institute for Chemical Ecology, 07745 Jena, Thüringen, Germany
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Physiological constraints dictate toxin spatial heterogeneity in snake venom glands. BMC Biol 2022; 20:148. [PMID: 35761243 PMCID: PMC9238143 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-022-01350-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Venoms are ecological innovations that have evolved numerous times, on each occasion accompanied by the co-evolution of specialised morphological and behavioural characters for venom production and delivery. The close evolutionary interdependence between these characters is exemplified by animals that control the composition of their secreted venom. This ability depends in part on the production of different toxins in different locations of the venom gland, which was recently documented in venomous snakes. Here, we test the hypothesis that the distinct spatial distributions of toxins in snake venom glands are an adaptation that enables the secretion of venoms with distinct ecological functions. Results We show that the main defensive and predatory peptide toxins are produced in distinct regions of the venom glands of the black-necked spitting cobra (Naja nigricollis), but these distributions likely reflect developmental effects. Indeed, we detected no significant differences in venom collected via defensive ‘spitting’ or predatory ‘biting’ events from the same specimens representing multiple lineages of spitting cobra. We also found the same spatial distribution of toxins in a non-spitting cobra and show that heterogeneous toxin distribution is a feature shared with a viper with primarily predatory venom. Conclusions Our findings suggest that heterogeneous distributions of toxins are not an adaptation to controlling venom composition in snakes. Instead, it likely reflects physiological constraints on toxin production by the venom glands, opening avenues for future research on the mechanisms of functional differentiation of populations of protein-secreting cells within adaptive contexts. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12915-022-01350-y.
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Venomics of the Central European Myrmicine Ants Myrmica rubra and Myrmica ruginodis. Toxins (Basel) 2022; 14:toxins14050358. [PMID: 35622604 PMCID: PMC9147725 DOI: 10.3390/toxins14050358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal venoms are a rich source of novel biomolecules with potential applications in medicine and agriculture. Ants are one of the most species-rich lineages of venomous animals. However, only a fraction of their biodiversity has been studied so far. Here, we investigated the venom components of two myrmicine (subfamily Myrmicinae) ants: Myrmica rubra and Myrmica ruginodis. We applied a venomics workflow based on proteotranscriptomics and found that the venoms of both species are composed of several protein classes, including venom serine proteases, cysteine-rich secretory protein, antigen 5 and pathogenesis-related 1 (CAP) superfamily proteins, Kunitz-type serine protease inhibitors and venom acid phosphatases. Several of these protein classes are known venom allergens, and for the first time we detected phospholipase A1 in the venom of M. ruginodis. We also identified two novel epidermal growth factor (EGF) family toxins in the M. ruginodis venom proteome and an array of additional EGF-like toxins in the venom gland transcriptomes of both species. These are similar to known toxins from the related myrmicine ant, Manica rubida, and the myrmecine (subfamily Myrmeciinae) Australian red bulldog ant Myrmecia gullosa, and are possibly deployed as weapons in defensive scenarios or to subdue prey. Our work suggests that M.rubra and M. ruginodis venoms contain many enzymes and other high-molecular-weight proteins that cause cell damage. Nevertheless, the presence of EGF-like toxins suggests that myrmicine ants have also recruited smaller peptide components into their venom arsenal. Although little is known about the bioactivity and function of EGF-like toxins, their presence in myrmicine and myrmecine ants suggests they play a key role in the venom systems of the superfamily Formicoidea. Our work adds to the emerging picture of ant venoms as a source of novel bioactive molecules and highlights the need to incorporate such taxa in future venom bioprospecting programs.
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Gao F, Tian L, Li X, Zhang Y, Wang T, Ma L, Song F, Cai W, Li H. Proteotranscriptomic Analysis and Toxicity Assay Suggest the Functional Distinction between Venom Gland Chambers in Twin-Spotted Assassin Bug, Platymeris biguttatus. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11030464. [PMID: 35336837 PMCID: PMC8945326 DOI: 10.3390/biology11030464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Assassin bugs use their salivary venoms for various purposes, including defense, prey paralyzation, and extra-oral digestion, but the mechanisms underlying the functional complexity of the venom remain largely unclear. Since venom glands are composed of several chambers, it is suggested that individual chambers may be specialized to produce chemically distinct venoms to exert different functions. The current study assesses this hypothesis by performing toxicity assays and transcriptomic and proteomic analysis on components from three major venom gland chambers including the anterior main gland (AMG), the posterior main gland (PMG), and the accessory gland (AG) of the assassin bug Platymeris biguttatus. Proteotranscriptomic analysis reveals that AMG and PMG extracts are rich in hemolytic proteins and serine proteases, respectively, whereas transferrin and apolipophorin are dominant in the AG. Toxicity assays reveal that secretions from different gland chambers have distinct effects on the prey, with that from AG compromising prey mobility, that from PMG causing prey death and liquifying the corpse, and that from AMG showing no significant physiological effects. Our study reveals a functional cooperation among venom gland chambers of assassin bugs and provides new insights into physiological adaptations to venom-based predation and defense in venomous predatory bugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fanding Gao
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (F.G.); (L.T.); (X.L.); (Y.Z.); (L.M.); (F.S.); (W.C.)
| | - Li Tian
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (F.G.); (L.T.); (X.L.); (Y.Z.); (L.M.); (F.S.); (W.C.)
| | - Xinyu Li
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (F.G.); (L.T.); (X.L.); (Y.Z.); (L.M.); (F.S.); (W.C.)
| | - Yinqiao Zhang
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (F.G.); (L.T.); (X.L.); (Y.Z.); (L.M.); (F.S.); (W.C.)
| | - Tianfang Wang
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore, QLD 4558, Australia;
| | - Ling Ma
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (F.G.); (L.T.); (X.L.); (Y.Z.); (L.M.); (F.S.); (W.C.)
| | - Fan Song
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (F.G.); (L.T.); (X.L.); (Y.Z.); (L.M.); (F.S.); (W.C.)
| | - Wanzhi Cai
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (F.G.); (L.T.); (X.L.); (Y.Z.); (L.M.); (F.S.); (W.C.)
| | - Hu Li
- Department of Entomology and MOA Key Lab of Pest Monitoring and Green Management, College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (F.G.); (L.T.); (X.L.); (Y.Z.); (L.M.); (F.S.); (W.C.)
- Correspondence:
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Praça YR, Santiago PB, Charneau S, Mandacaru SC, Bastos IMD, Bentes KLDS, Silva SMM, da Silva WMC, da Silva IG, de Sousa MV, Soares CMDA, Ribeiro JMC, Santana JM, de Araújo CN. An Integrative Sialomic Analysis Reveals Molecules From Triatoma sordida (Hemiptera: Reduviidae). Front Cell Infect Microbiol 2022; 11:798924. [PMID: 35047420 PMCID: PMC8762107 DOI: 10.3389/fcimb.2021.798924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 12/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Triatomines have evolved salivary glands that produce versatile molecules with various biological functions, including those leading their interactions with vertebrate hosts’ hemostatic and immunological systems. Here, using high-throughput transcriptomics and proteomics, we report the first sialome study on the synanthropic triatomine Triatoma sordida. As a result, 57,645,372 reads were assembled into 26,670 coding sequences (CDS). From these, a total of 16,683 were successfully annotated. The sialotranscriptomic profile shows Lipocalin as the most abundant protein family within putative secreted transcripts. Trialysins and Kazal-type protease inhibitors have high transcript levels followed by ubiquitous protein families and enzyme classes. Interestingly, abundant trialysin and Kazal-type members are highlighted in this triatomine sialotranscriptome. Furthermore, we identified 132 proteins in T. sordida salivary gland soluble extract through LC-MS/MS spectrometry. Lipocalins, Hemiptera specific families, CRISP/Antigen-5 and Kazal-type protein inhibitors proteins were identified. Our study provides a comprehensive description of the transcript and protein compositions of the salivary glands of T. sordida. It significantly enhances the information in the Triatominae sialome databanks reported so far, improving the understanding of the vector’s biology, the hematophagous behaviour, and the Triatominae subfamily’s evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanna Reis Praça
- Pathogen-Host Interface Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil.,Programa Pós-Graduação em Ciências Médicas, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Paula Beatriz Santiago
- Pathogen-Host Interface Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Sébastien Charneau
- Laboratory of Protein Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Samuel Coelho Mandacaru
- Laboratory of Protein Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | | | - Kaio Luís da Silva Bentes
- Pathogen-Host Interface Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil.,Programa Pós-Graduação em Ciências Médicas, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | | | | | | | - Marcelo Valle de Sousa
- Laboratory of Protein Chemistry and Biochemistry, Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | | | - José Marcos Chaves Ribeiro
- Laboratory of Malaria and Vector Research, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Jaime Martins Santana
- Pathogen-Host Interface Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil.,Programa Pós-Graduação em Ciências Médicas, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
| | - Carla Nunes de Araújo
- Pathogen-Host Interface Laboratory, Department of Cell Biology, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil.,Programa Pós-Graduação em Ciências Médicas, Faculty of Medicine, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil.,Faculty of Ceilândia, University of Brasilia, Brasilia, Brazil
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Rügen N, Jenkins TP, Wielsch N, Vogel H, Hempel BF, Süssmuth RD, Ainsworth S, Cabezas-Cruz A, Vilcinskas A, Tonk M. Hexapod Assassins' Potion: Venom Composition and Bioactivity from the Eurasian Assassin Bug Rhynocoris iracundus. Biomedicines 2021; 9:biomedicines9070819. [PMID: 34356883 PMCID: PMC8301361 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines9070819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2021] [Revised: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Assassin bug venoms are potent and exert diverse biological functions, making them potential biomedical goldmines. Besides feeding functions on arthropods, assassin bugs also use their venom for defense purposes causing localized and systemic reactions in vertebrates. However, assassin bug venoms remain poorly characterized. We collected the venom from the assassin bug Rhynocoris iracundus and investigated its composition and bioactivity in vitro and in vivo. It caused lysis of murine neuroblastoma, hepatoma cells, and healthy murine myoblasts. We demonstrated, for the first time, that assassin bug venom induces neurolysis and suggest that it counteracts paralysis locally via the destruction of neural networks, contributing to tissue digestion. Furthermore, the venom caused paralysis and melanization of Galleria mellonella larvae and pupae, whilst also possessing specific antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, but not Listeria grayi and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A combinatorial proteo-transcriptomic approach was performed to identify potential toxins responsible for the observed effects. We identified neurotoxic Ptu1, an inhibitory cystin knot (ICK) toxin homologous to ω-conotoxins from cone snails, cytolytic redulysins homologous to trialysins from hematophagous kissing bugs, and pore-forming hemolysins. Additionally, chitinases and kininogens were found and may be responsible for insecticidal and cytolytic activities. We demonstrate the multifunctionality and complexity of assassin bug venom, which renders its molecular components interesting for potential biomedical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolai Rügen
- Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (N.R.); (A.V.)
| | - Timothy P. Jenkins
- Department of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Technical University of Denmark, 2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark;
| | - Natalie Wielsch
- Research Group Mass Spectrometry/Proteomics, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knoell-Strasse 8, 07745 Jena, Germany;
| | - Heiko Vogel
- Department of Entomology, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Hans-Knöll-Straße 8, 07745 Jena, Germany;
| | - Benjamin-Florian Hempel
- Department of Chemistry, Technische Universität Berlin, Strasse des 17. Juni 124, 10623 Berlin, Germany; (B.-F.H.); (R.D.S.)
- BIH Center for Regenerative Therapies BCRT, Charité—Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany
| | - Roderich D. Süssmuth
- Department of Chemistry, Technische Universität Berlin, Strasse des 17. Juni 124, 10623 Berlin, Germany; (B.-F.H.); (R.D.S.)
| | - Stuart Ainsworth
- Centre for Snakebite Research and Interventions, Department of Tropical Disease Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK;
| | - Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz
- UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Anses, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d’Alfort, F-94700 Maisons-Alfort, France;
| | - Andreas Vilcinskas
- Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392 Giessen, Germany; (N.R.); (A.V.)
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392 Giessen, Germany
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Miray Tonk
- Institute for Insect Biotechnology, Justus Liebig University of Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26-32, 35392 Giessen, Germany
- LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
- Correspondence:
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Crouching Tiger, Hidden Protein: Searching for Insecticidal Toxins in Venom of the Red Tiger Assassin Bug ( Havinthus rufovarius). Toxins (Basel) 2020; 13:toxins13010003. [PMID: 33375154 PMCID: PMC7822193 DOI: 10.3390/toxins13010003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 12/15/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Assassin bugs are venomous insects that prey on other arthropods. Their venom has lethal, paralytic, and liquifying effects when injected into prey, but the toxins responsible for these effects are unknown. To identify bioactive assassin bug toxins, venom was harvested from the red tiger assassin bug (Havinthus rufovarius), an Australian species whose venom has not previously been characterised. The venom was fractionated using reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography, and four fractions were found to cause paralysis and death when injected into sheep blowflies (Lucilia cuprina). The amino acid sequences of the major proteins in two of these fractions were elucidated by comparing liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry data with a translated venom-gland transcriptome. The most abundant components were identified as a solitary 12.8 kDa CUB (complement C1r/C1s, Uegf, Bmp1) domain protein and a 9.5 kDa cystatin. CUB domains are present in multidomain proteins with diverse functions, including insect proteases. Although solitary CUB domain proteins have been reported to exist in other heteropteran venoms, such as that of the bee killer assassin bug Pristhesancus plagipennis, their function is unknown, and they have not previously been reported as lethal or paralysis-inducing. Cystatins occur in the venoms of spiders and snakes, but again with an unknown function. Reduction and alkylation experiments revealed that the H. rufovarius venom cystatin featured five cysteine residues, one of which featured a free sulfhydryl group. These data suggest that solitary CUB domain proteins and/or cystatins may contribute to the insecticidal activity of assassin bug venom.
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