Snake venoms are integrated systems, but abundant venom proteins evolve more rapidly.

ABSTRACT:

Background

While many studies have shown that extracellular proteins evolve rapidly, how selection acts on them remains poorly understood. We used snake venoms to understand the interaction between ecology, expression level, and evolutionary rate in secreted protein systems. Venomous snakes employ well-integrated systems of proteins and organic constituents to immobilize prey. Venoms are generally optimized to subdue preferred prey more effectively than non-prey, and many venom protein families manifest positive selection and rapid gene family diversification. Although previous studies have illuminated how individual venom protein families evolve, how selection acts on venoms as integrated systems, is unknown.

Results

Using next-generation transcriptome sequencing and mass s

SUBMITTER: Aird SD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4552096 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature