Physiological constraints dictate toxin spatial heterogeneity in snake venom glands.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Venoms are ecological innovations that have evolved numerous times, on each occasion accompanied by the co-evolution of specialised morphological and behavioural characters for venom production and delivery. The close evolutionary interdependence between these characters is exemplified by animals that control the composition of their secreted venom. This ability depends in part on the production of different toxins in different locations of the venom gland, which was recently documented in venomous snakes. Here, we test the hypothesis that the distinct spatial distributions of toxins in snake venom glands are an adaptation that enables the secretion of venoms with distinct ecological functions.

Results

We show that the main defensive and predatory peptide toxins a

SUBMITTER: Kazandjian TD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9238143 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature