Rapid molecular diversification and homogenization of clustered major ampullate silk genes in Argiope garden spiders.

ABSTRACT: The evolutionary diversification of orb-web weaving spiders is closely tied to the mechanical performance of dragline silk. This proteinaceous fiber provides the primary structural framework of orb web architecture, and its extraordinary toughness allows these structures to absorb the high energy of aerial prey impact. The dominant model of dragline silk molecular structure involves the combined function of two highly repetitive, spider-specific, silk genes (spidroins)-MaSp1 and MaSp2. Recent genomic studies, however, have suggested this framework is overly simplistic, and our understanding of how MaSp genes evolve is limited. Here we present a comprehensive analysis of MaSp structural and evolutionary diversity across species of Argiope (garden spiders). This genomic analysis reveals the

SUBMITTER: Baker RH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9779670 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature