Acontia, a Specialised Defensive Structure, Has Low Venom Complexity in Calliactis polypus.

ABSTRACT: Phylum Cnidaria represents a unique group among venomous taxa, with its delivery system organised as individual organelles, known as nematocysts, heterogeneously distributed across morphological structures rather than packaged as a specialised organ. Acontia are packed with large nematocysts that are expelled from sea anemones during aggressive encounters with predatory species and are found in a limited number of species in the superfamily Metridioidea. Little is known about this specialised structure other than the commonly accepted hypothesis of its role in defence and a rudimentary understanding of its toxin content and activity. This study utilised previously published transcriptomic data and new proteomic analyses to expand this knowledge by identifying the venom profile of acontia i

SUBMITTER: Smith HL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10051995 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature