Distinct regulatory networks control toxin gene expression in elapid and viperid snakes.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Venom systems are ideal models to study genetic regulatory mechanisms that underpin evolutionary novelty. Snake venom glands are thought to share a common origin, but there are major distinctions between venom toxins from the medically significant snake families Elapidae and Viperidae, and toxin gene regulatory investigations in elapid snakes have been limited. Here, we used high-throughput RNA-sequencing to profile gene expression and microRNAs between active (milked) and resting (unmilked) venom glands in an elapid (Eastern Brown Snake, Pseudonaja textilis), in addition to comparative genomics, to identify cis- and trans-acting regulation of venom production in an elapid in comparison to viperids (Crotalus viridis and C. tigris).

Results

Although there is conser

SUBMITTER: Modahl CM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10874052 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature