Age-related association of venom gene expression and diet of predatory gastropods.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Venomous organisms serve as wonderful systems to study the evolution and expression of genes that are directly associated with prey capture. To evaluate the relationship between venom gene expression and prey utilization, we examined these features among individuals of different ages of the venomous, worm-eating marine snail Conus ebraeus. We determined expression levels of six genes that encode venom components, used a DNA-based approach to evaluate the identity of prey items, and compared patterns of venom gene expression and dietary specialization.

Results

C. ebraeus exhibits two major shifts in diet with age-an initial transition from a relatively broad dietary breadth to a narrower one and then a return to a broader diet. Venom gene expression patterns also c

SUBMITTER: Chang D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4730619 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature