Unusual stability of messenger RNA in snake venom reveals gene expression dynamics of venom replenishment.

ABSTRACT: Venom is a critical evolutionary innovation enabling venomous snakes to become successful limbless predators; it is therefore vital that venomous snakes possess a highly efficient venom production and delivery system to maintain their predatory arsenal. Here, we exploit the unusual stability of messenger RNA in venom to conduct, for the first time, quantitative PCR to characterise the dynamics of gene expression of newly synthesised venom proteins following venom depletion. Quantitative PCR directly from venom enables real-time dynamic studies of gene expression in the same animals because it circumvents the conventional requirement to sacrifice snakes to extract mRNA from dissected venom glands. Using qPCR and proteomic analysis, we show that gene expression and protein re-synthesis trigg

SUBMITTER: Currier RB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3413681 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature