Garrett James E, Buczek Olga, Watkins Maren, Olivera Baldomero M, Bulaj Grzegorz
Cognetix, Inc., 421 Wakara Way, Suite 201, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA.
Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2005 Mar 4;328(1):362-7. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2004.12.178.
Each Conus snail species produces 50-200 unique peptide-based conotoxins, derived from a number of different gene superfamilies. Conotoxins are synthesized and secreted in a long venom duct, but biochemical and molecular aspects of their biosynthesis remain poorly understood. Here, we analyzed expression patterns of conotoxin genes belonging to different superfamilies in Conus textile venom ducts. The results demonstrate that specific gene families are expressed in particular regions of the venom duct. Biochemical analysis using liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry revealed an even more localized accumulation of individual conotoxins. This study demonstrates for the first time that specialization of gene expression, processing, and secretion of conotoxins occurs in different regions of the venom duct.
每种芋螺物种会产生50 - 200种独特的基于肽的芋螺毒素，这些毒素来源于多个不同的基因超家族。芋螺毒素在一条长长的毒管中合成并分泌，但对其生物合成的生化和分子方面仍知之甚少。在这里，我们分析了纺织芋螺毒管中属于不同超家族的芋螺毒素基因的表达模式。结果表明，特定的基因家族在毒管的特定区域表达。使用液相色谱和质谱的生化分析揭示了单个芋螺毒素更局部化的积累。这项研究首次证明，芋螺毒素的基因表达、加工和分泌的特化发生在毒管的不同区域。
