ENAapplication/xmlftp://ftp.sra.ebi.ac.uk/vol1/fastq/SRR228/050/SRR22862550/SRR22862550_2.fastq.gzftp://ftp.sra.ebi.ac.uk/vol1/fastq/SRR228/046/SRR22862546/SRR22862546_2.fastq.gzftp://ftp.sra.ebi.ac.uk/vol1/fastq/SRR228/052/SRR22862552/SRR22862552_2.fastq.gzftp://ftp.sra.ebi.ac.uk/vol1/fastq/SRR228/049/SRR22862549/SRR22862549_1.fastq.gzftp://ftp.sra.ebi.ac.uk/vol1/fastq/SRR228/044/SRR22862544/SRR22862544_2.fastq.gzftp://ftp.sra.ebi.ac.uk/vol1/fastq/SRR228/045/SRR22862545/SRR22862545_1.fastq.gzftp://ftp.sra.ebi.ac.uk/vol1/fastq/SRR228/052/SRR22862552/SRR22862552_1.fastq.gzftp://ftp.sra.ebi.ac.uk/vol1/fastq/SRR228/051/SRR22862551/SRR22862551_1.fastq.gzftp://ftp.sra.ebi.ac.uk/vol1/fastq/SRR228/049/SRR22862549/SRR22862549_2.fastq.gzftp://ftp.sra.ebi.ac.uk/vol1/fastq/SRR228/048/SRR22862548/SRR22862548_1.fastq.gzftp://ftp.sra.ebi.ac.uk/vol1/fastq/SRR228/045/SRR22862545/SRR22862545_2.fastq.gzftp://ftp.sra.ebi.ac.uk/vol1/fastq/SRR228/053/SRR22862553/SRR22862553_2.fastq.gzftp://ftp.sra.ebi.ac.uk/vol1/fastq/SRR228/047/SRR22862547/SRR22862547_2.fastq.gzftp://ftp.sra.ebi.ac.uk/vol1/fastq/SRR228/046/SRR22862546/SRR22862546_1.fastq.gzftp://ftp.sra.ebi.ac.uk/vol1/fastq/SRR228/044/SRR22862544/SRR22862544_1.fastq.gzftp://ftp.sra.ebi.ac.uk/vol1/fastq/SRR228/047/SRR22862547/SRR22862547_1.fastq.gzftp://ftp.sra.ebi.ac.uk/vol1/fastq/SRR228/048/SRR22862548/SRR22862548_2.fastq.gzftp://ftp.sra.ebi.ac.uk/vol1/fastq/SRR228/053/SRR22862553/SRR22862553_1.fastq.gzftp://ftp.sra.ebi.ac.uk/vol1/fastq/SRR228/051/SRR22862551/SRR22862551_2.fastq.gzftp://ftp.sra.ebi.ac.uk/vol1/fastq/SRR228/050/SRR22862550/SRR22862550_1.fastq.gzprimaryOK200GenomicsUniversity of Central Floridahttps://www.ebi.ac.uk/ena/browser/view/PRJNA914723Zombie ants infected by Ophiocordyceps species behavior are known to exhibit unusual behaviors that aid in fungal spore transmission. While these behavioral manipulations are well described, the molecular driving force behind these changes is still unknown. Recent genomics and transcriptomics analyses have identified several candidate secreted proteins and secondary metabolites, highly upregulated during infection. Amongst these compounds is an ergot alkaloid related to the mycotoxin aflatrem, known to cause neurological issues in cows collectively called staggers syndrome. Staggering is also observed in Camponotus floridanus ants during the late stages of Ophiocordyceps infection and manipulation. To test if aflatrem-like compounds could be responsible for this behavioural phenotype, we injected healthy ants with purified aflatrem, recorded their behaviour for 30 minutes, and performed RNA-Seq on the heads. Together, these results indicate that aflatrem-like compounds, produced by O. camponoti-floridani during late-stage infection, significantly affect neuromuscular and sensory functioning and lead to a staggers phenotype in C. floridanus.ENAfalseInvestigating the role of aflatrem-like compounds in Ophiocordyceps manipulation of zombie ants2023-07-192023-07-19PRJNA914723