Expression of SE-ctx in posterior salivary glands of cephalopod species

ABSTRACT: Venom peptides and proteins are used to study physiology, neurobiology, immunology, and to develop therapies for treating diseases and disorders. However, we know little about how venom genes and venom systems (cells, glands, and piercing apparatus, e.g., fangs, harpoons, stingers) evolve and function. Recent advances in cephalopod husbandry served as a technological springboard allowing for the use of several species of cephalopods as model systems to interrogate the complexity of venom gland development and venom gene expression. We applied a multi-modal dataset to elucidate and characterize the only fully described cephalopod venom protein, SE-CTX, found in specialized venom producing posterior salivary glands of several species of squids, cuttlefish, and octopus. Our findings indicate SE-CTX homologs had an early phylogenetic origin and were then duplicated across various cephalopod lineages. This work highlights cephalopods as a venom model system to help us broadly understand the development of understand the development of venom glands and the generation of their bioactive compounds.

INSTRUMENT(S):

ORGANISM(S): Sepia Bandensis Euprymna Berryi Doryteuthis Pealeii

TISSUE(S): Salivary Gland

SUBMITTER: Saurabh Attarde  

LAB HEAD: Mande Holford

PROVIDER: PXD058861 | Pride | 2026-10-29

REPOSITORIES: Pride