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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

Recruitment of toxin-like proteins with ancestral venom function supports endoparasitic lifestyles of Myxozoa

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Author(s):
Hartigan, Ashlie [1, 2] ; Jaimes-Becerra, Adrian [3] ; Okamura, Beth [1] ; Doonan, Liam B. [2] ; Ward, Malcolm [4] ; Marques, Antonio C. [3] ; Long, Paul F. [5, 2]
Total Authors: 7
Affiliation:
[1] Nat Hist Museum, Dept Life Sci, London - England
[2] Univ London, Kings Coll London, Fac Life Sci & Med, London - England
[3] Univ Sao Paulo, Inst Biociencias, Dept Zool, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil
[4] Aulesa Biosci Ltd, Shefford, Beds - England
[5] Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Ciencias Farmaceut, Sao Paulo, SP - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 5
Document type: Journal article
Source: PeerJ; v. 9, APR 26 2021.
Web of Science Citations: 0
Abstract

Cnidarians are the oldest lineage of venomous animals and use nematocysts to discharge toxins. Whether venom toxins have been recruited to support parasitic lifestyles in the Endocnidozoa (Myxozoa + Polypodium) is, however, unknown. To examine this issue we variously employed transcriptomic, proteomic, associated molecular phylogenies, and localisation studies on representative primitive and derived myxozoans (Malacosporea and Myxosporea, respectively), Polypodium hydriforme, and the free-living staurozoan Calvadosia cruxmelitensis. Our transcriptomics and proteomics analyses provide evidence for expression and translation of venom toxin homologs in myxozoans. Phylogenetic placement of Kunitz type serine protease inhibitors and phospholipase A2 enzymes reveals modification of toxins inherited from ancestral free-living cnidarian toxins, and that venom diversity is reduced in myxozoans concordant with their reduced genome sizes. Various phylogenetic analyses of the Kunitz-type toxin family in Endocnidozoa suggested lineage-specific gene duplications, which offers a possible mechanism for enhancing toxin diversification. Toxin localisation in the malacosporean Buddenbrockia plumatellae substantiates toxin translation and thus illustrates a repurposing of toxin function for endoparasite development and interactions with hosts, rather than for prey capture or defence. Whether myxozoan venom candidates are expressed in transmission stages (e.g. in nematocysts or secretory vesicles) requires further investigation. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 11/50242-5 - Dimensions of marine life: patterns and process of diversifications in planktonic and benthic cnidarians
Grantee:Antonio Carlos Marques
Support Opportunities: BIOTA-FAPESP Program - Thematic Grants