Tentacle Morphological Variation Coincides with Differential Expression of Toxins in Sea Anemones.

ABSTRACT: Phylum Cnidaria is an ancient venomous group defined by the presence of cnidae, specialised organelles that serve as venom delivery systems. The distribution of cnidae across the body plan is linked to regionalisation of venom production, with tissue-specific venom composition observed in multiple actiniarian species. In this study, we assess whether morphological variants of tentacles are associated with distinct toxin expression profiles and investigate the functional significance of specialised tentacular structures. Using five sea anemone species, we analysed differential expression of toxin-like transcripts and found that expression levels differ significantly across tentacular structures when substantial morphological variation is present. Therefore, the differential expression of to

SUBMITTER: Ashwood LM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8310139 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature