Project description:Many angiosperms can secret at least two types of sugar-rich liquids, floral nectar (FN) and extrafloral nectar (EFN), by which plants can make use of the animal partner’s mobility for pollen transportation and attract predatory animals for indirect defense. Both FN and EFN contain considerable amount of proteins which play important roles in nectar biosynthesis process and protection. Hemerocallis citrina (HC) can secrete both FN and EFN on flower during the same developmental stage. Our objective was to compare the HC FN and EFN proteome to understand the difference between their biosynthesis and ecological function. FN was collected from adult HC flowers and concentrated by ultrafiltering. EFN was collected from young HC flower buds and concentrated by ultrafiltering. Proteins were digested with trypsin then analyzed by LC-MS/MS. HSPs are the main protein identified in HC FN but their function in floral nectar is still largely unknown. PR proteins are the main protein identified in HC EFN with antimicrobial activity. Our data provide a good characterization of a monocot nectar proteome. These data, may be useful in understanding the generation process and ecological function of floral and extrafloral nectar.
Project description:An animal’s ability to effectively capture prey and defend against predators is pivotal to its survival1. A key innovation in many predator-prey interactions is venom, which consists of many toxin proteins that shape its phenotype2. Its unusually direct relationship of gene-toxin-phenotype make it an appealing system for studies at the organismal level 3,4. In this work we use the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis as a model organism as it provides us with the opportunity to test for the first time how toxin-genotypes impact predator-prey interactions. Specifically, we compare a native-population5 and a transgenic line which both have significantly reduced levels of Nv1, the major toxin in adult Nematostella6, to animals with wildtype levels of Nv1. We demonstrate that the transgenic strain phenocopies native anemones lacking Nv1 as they both have impaired ability to defend themselves against grass shrimp, a native predator. Mummichog killifish, unexpectedly are attracted to Nematostella with wildtype-levels of Nv1, highlighting that Nv1 plays a complex role in shaping interspecific-interactions. Finally, we demonstrate an evolutionary tradeoff as the reduction of Nv1 levels causes faster growth and increased reproductive rates compared to Nematostella control lines. Overall, our results experimentally link organism’s venom to its physiology, reproduction and interspecific interactions.
Project description:An animal’s ability to effectively capture prey and defend against predators is pivotal to its survival1. A key innovation in many predator-prey interactions is venom, which consists of many toxin proteins that shape its phenotype2. Its unusually direct relationship of gene-toxin-phenotype make it an appealing system for studies at the organismal level 3,4. In this work we use the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis as a model organism as it provides us with the opportunity to test for the first time how toxin-genotypes impact predator-prey interactions. Specifically, we compare a native-population5 and a transgenic line which both have significantly reduced levels of Nv1, the major toxin in adult Nematostella6, to animals with wildtype levels of Nv1. We demonstrate that the transgenic strain phenocopies native anemones lacking Nv1 as they both have impaired ability to defend themselves against grass shrimp, a native predator. Mummichog killifish, unexpectedly are attracted to Nematostella with wildtype-levels of Nv1, highlighting that Nv1 plays a complex role in shaping interspecific-interactions. Finally, we demonstrate an evolutionary tradeoff as the reduction of Nv1 levels causes faster growth and increased reproductive rates compared to Nematostella control lines. Overall, our results experimentally link organism’s venom to its physiology, reproduction and interspecific interactions.