A rare, evolutionarily conserved venom protein benefits endoparasitism across parasitoids.

ABSTRACT: Although many venom proteins and other parasitic effectors have been identified in various specific systems of parasitoids, key elements that contribute to parasitic success across a broad range of taxa remain largely unexplored. Here, we focus on Leptopilina and conduct a large-scale, multi-omics study to explore common venom proteins for these drosophilid parasitoids. We find that this genus has undergone extensive chromosome rearrangements and a rapid turnover of venom gene repertoires between species. Interestingly, we identified a lineage-specific venom lipase, Leptopilina-specific venom lipase (LVL), as a rare venom protein that is subject to evolutionary constraint and recruited by all Leptopilina species. Functional genetics studies on LVL reveal its critical role in hydrolyzing ho

SUBMITTER: Dong Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12366661 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature