Dataset Information

Chromosome-level genome assembly of the black widow spider Latrodectus elegans illuminates composition and evolution of venom and silk proteins.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The black widow spider has both extraordinarily neurotoxic venom and three-dimensional cobwebs composed of diverse types of silk. However, a high-quality reference genome for the black widow spider was still unavailable, which hindered deep understanding and application of the valuable biomass.

Findings

We assembled the Latrodectus elegans genome, including a genome size of 1.57 Gb with contig N50 of 4.34 Mb and scaffold N50 of 114.31 Mb. Hi-C scaffolding assigned 98.08% of the genome to 14 pseudo-chromosomes, and with BUSCO, completeness analysis revealed that 98.4% of the core eukaryotic genes were completely present in this genome. Annotation of this genome identified that repetitive sequences account for 506.09 Mb (32.30%) and 20,167 protein-coding genes, and specifically, we identified 55 toxin genes and 26 spidroins and provide preliminary analysis of their composition and evolution.

Conclusions

We present the first chromosome-level genome assembly of a black widow spider and provide substantial toxin and spidroin gene resources. These high-qualified genomic data add valuable resources from a representative spider group and contribute to deep exploration of spider genome evolution, especially in terms of the important issues on the diversification of venom and web-weaving pattern. The sequence data are also firsthand templates for further application of the spider biomass.

SUBMITTER: Wang Z

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9154082 | biostudies-literature | 2022 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Chromosome-level genome assembly of the black widow spider Latrodectus elegans illuminates composition and evolution of venom and silk proteins.

Wang Zhongkai Z Zhu Kesen K Li Haorong H Gao Lei L Huang Huanying H Ren Yandong Y Xiang Hui H

GigaScience 20220501

<h4>Background</h4>The black widow spider has both extraordinarily neurotoxic venom and three-dimensional cobwebs composed of diverse types of silk. However, a high-quality reference genome for the black widow spider was still unavailable, which hindered deep understanding and application of the valuable biomass.<h4>Findings</h4>We assembled the Latrodectus elegans genome, including a genome size of 1.57 Gb with contig N50 of 4.34 Mb and scaffold N50 of 114.31 Mb. Hi-C scaffolding assigned 98.08 ...[more]

PMID: 35639632

Similar Datasets

Project description:Spiders use their venom for defence and to capture prey. These venoms contain a cocktail of biologically active compounds that display several different biological activities, such as large molecules and small molecules including peptides, proteins/enzymes, and other components. Thus, venom constituents have attracted the attention of biochemists and pharmacologists over the years. The brown widow spider (Latrodectus geometricus) is a venomous spider found worldwide, including in Thailand. This spider causes human injuries, and the venom has many potential applications. In this study, we investigated the complexity and pharmacology of brown widow spider venom. Spider crude venom was investigated using partial proteome techniques and enzymatic activity, toxicity, and antibacterial activity assessments. We found that crude venom displayed a wide range of molecular masses from 19 to over 97 kDa, with molecular masses of 66 kDa intensely stained. Peptides and proteins were identified by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), which showed that the crude venom contained a variety of substances, including latrotoxins, apolipophorins, hemocyanins, chitinases, arginine kinase, allergen antigen 5-like protein, astacin-like metalloproteases, and serine proteases. High hyaluronidase activity was observed based on the turbidimetric method. The venom presented toxicity in crickets (PD50 = 0.73 ± 0.10 μg/g body weight), and substantial envenomation symptoms, such as slow-motion movement, paralysis, and even death, were noted. Moreover, this venom exhibited potential antibacterial activity against the gram-positive Bacillus subtilis but not the gram-negative Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Spider venom contains numerous molecules with biological activity, such as latrotoxins, which affect insects, and enzymes. In addition to latrotoxins, certain enzymes in venom are hypothesized to exhibit toxicity and antimicrobial activity. This study provides important information for the further development of natural compounds or insecticidal toxins.

Dataset Information

Chromosome-level genome assembly of the black widow spider Latrodectus elegans illuminates composition and evolution of venom and silk proteins.

Background

Findings

Conclusions

Publications

Chromosome-level genome assembly of the black widow spider Latrodectus elegans illuminates composition and evolution of venom and silk proteins.

Similar Datasets

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