A proteomics and transcriptomics investigation of the venom from the Barychelid spider Trittame loki (brush-foot trapdoor)

Although known for their potent venom and ability to prey upon both invertebrate and vertebrate species, the Barychelidae spider family has been entirely neglected by toxinologists. In striking contrast, the sister family Theraphosidae (commonly known as tarantulas), which last shared a most recent common ancestor with Barychelidae over 200 million years ago, has received much attention, accounting for 25% of all the described spider toxins while representing only 2% of all spider species. In this study, we evaluated for the first time the venom arsenal of a barychelid spider, Trittame loki, using transcriptomic, proteomic, and bioinformatic methods. The venom was revealed to be dominated by extremely diverse inhibitor cystine knot (ICK)/knottin peptides, accounting for 42 of the 46 full-length toxin precursors recovered in the transcriptomic sequencing. In addition to documenting differential rates of evolution adopted by different ICK/knottin toxin lineages, we discovered homologues with completely novel cysteine skeletal architecture. Moreover, acetylcholinesterase and neprilysin were revealed for the first time as part of the spider-venom arsenal and CAP (CRiSP/Allergen/PR-1) were identified for the first time in mygalomorph spider venoms. These results not only highlight the extent of venom diversification in this neglected ancient spider lineage, but also reinforce the idea that unique venomous lineages are rich pools of novel biomolecules that may have significant applied uses as therapeutics and/or insecticides

Diversification of a single ancestral gene into a successful toxin superfamily in highly venomous Australian funnel-web spiders

Background: Spiders have evolved pharmacologically complex venoms that serve to rapidly subdue prey and deter predators. The major toxic factors in most spider venoms are small, disulfide-rich peptides. While there is abundant evidence that snake venoms evolved by recruitment of genes encoding normal body proteins followed by extensive gene duplication accompanied by explosive structural and functional diversification, the evolutionary trajectory of spider-venom peptides is less clear. Results: Here we present evidence of a spider-toxin superfamily encoding a high degree of sequence and functional diversity that has evolved via accelerated duplication and diversification of a single ancestral gene. The peptides within this toxin superfamily are translated as prepropeptides that are posttranslationally processed to yield the mature toxin. The N-terminal signal sequence, as well as the protease recognition site at the junction of the propeptide and mature toxin are conserved, whereas the remainder of the propeptide and mature toxin sequences are variable. All toxin transcripts within this superfamily exhibit a striking cysteine codon bias. We show that different pharmacological classes of toxins within this peptide superfamily evolved under different evolutionary selection pressures. Conclusions: Overall, this study reinforces the hypothesis that spiders use a combinatorial peptide library strategy to evolve a complex cocktail of peptide toxins that target neuronal receptors and ion channels in prey and predators. We show that the ω-hexatoxins that target insect voltage-gated calcium channels evolved under the influence of positive Darwinian selection in an episodic fashion, whereas the κ-hexatoxins that target insect calcium-activated potassium channels appear to be under negative selection. A majority of the diversifying sites in the ω-hexatoxins are concentrated on the molecular surface of the toxins, thereby facilitating neofunctionalisation leading to new toxin pharmacology. © 2014 Pineda et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd

Role of Abhyanga (oil massage) in daily practice

Ayurveda literally means ‘science of life’. According to Ayurveda the term health does not stand only for the freedom from diseases but it is called as healthy only when a person’s mind, sense organs and the soul are in a perfect state of equilibrium to endow happiness and the body is free from diseases. To promote health certain procedure and methods are followed on daily basis (Dinacharya). Abhyanga (oil massage) is one among the ancient procedure explained in Dinacharya. It is an approach to adopt healing, relaxation and treating various diseases. In Ayurveda it is clearly mentioned that Abhyanga alleviates Vata Dosha and person develops strength both physically and mentally. Here an attempt is made to compile the importance, use and benefits of Abhyanga in daily life

A study to assess the effect of Yashtimadhu Ksheerapaaka Tarpana in the management of Shushkakshipaka - A Case Report

Introduction: Dry eye is a multifactorial ocular surface disease characterized by symptoms of discomfort, irritation, and visual disturbance. The symptoms of dry eye can be correlated to Shushkakshipaka which is one among the Sarvagata Netra Rogas affecting all parts of the eye as explained in classical Ayurveda texts. Here the patient presenting with signs and symptoms of dry eye disease was treated according to the treatment principles of Shushkakshipaka as explained in Ayurvedic classics. Yashtimadhu Ksheerapaka Tarpana was selected for the treatment and the same has been presented in the article. Materials and Methods: The subject who approached Shalakya Tantra OPD of Sri Jayachamarajendra Institute of Indian Medicine Hospital, Bengaluru, with signs and symptoms of dry eye disease like dryness in both the eyes, foreign body sensation, burning sensation and blurred vision etc. was thoroughly examined and systematically reviewed and treatment was planned based on the Chikitsasutra of Shushkakshipaka. Result: The patient showed considerable improvement subjectively and objectively. Improvement in schirmers reading, visual acuity improvement was observed in both eyes. Discussion: The maintenance of stability of tear film is the main challenge in the present scenario. This can be achieved by properly following the treatment principle and protocol during and after the treatment for the prescribed period

Editorial: Diversity and Evolution of Animal Venoms: Neglected Targets, Ecological Interactions, Future Perspectives

International audienc

Conceptual study on Aharapaka in Ayurveda

Ayurveda is the most ancient science of life and its main aim is to maintain health of the healthy individual and prevention of disease and treatment of disease. Ayurveda considered that Ahara, Nidra and Brahmacharya are three main pillars of life. In them Ahara plays an important role in life of all living beings. So, for the maintenance of health, healthy food and proper digestion is needed as per Ayurveda theory, like all the universal matter our body is also made up of Pancha Mahabhutas in this Panchamahabhoutik Shareera various Paka (metabolic transformations) are going on continuously and for this transformation Agni is the key factor and this Agni transforms consumed food into energy. Ahara is the practical application of the principles of nutrition. Aharapaka is the main process which does proper digestion of food in Kosta in various stages. The word Ahaara Paaka is a broad term and it includes various processes of digestion absorption assimilation and metabolism explained in modern science. As per Ayurvedic texts process of Ahaara Paaka begins from intake of food i.e., deglutition and ends at proper digestion. Not only ideal food will nourish our body but also proper digestion of the food will nourish the body and mind. Aharapaka process will helps in the formation of Dosha, Dhathu, and mala and these are the basic elements of the body. So, this present study is taken to find out importance of Aharapaka process in the maintenance of health

JJo, a recombinant dimer of conformationally restricted peptide elicits protective response against Group A Streptococcus (GAS) isolates from a GAS-endemic region

A peptide (J14) containing conformationally restricted epitopes from the M protein of Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is capable of eliciting protective immune response against GAS infection. However, the protective response may be lost possibly due to its weak secondary-structure when the antigen is fused with other antigens in a recombinant polyepitope vaccine construct. We previously showed that JJo, a conformationally stabilized derivative of dimeric J14, overcomes this problem. We now show that anti JJo antibodies react with diverse GAS isolates found in the Indian sub-continent and that these antibodies are opsonic for GAS. The GAS strains used in this study were isolated from throat and skin swabs from Mumbai, Chennai and Vellore. Sera from mice immunized with recombinant JJo peptide were tested by ELISA, immunofluorescence, flow-cytometry, indirect bactericidal assay and mouse challenge assays to determine specific immunogenicity, opsonic functions and protection against an Indian isolate. We propose that JJo is a robust antigen suitable for inclusion in recombinant multi-epitope vaccines which are potentially affordable option for the pediatric population of developing countries

A panel of microsatellites to individually identify leopards and its application to leopard monitoring in human dominated landscapes

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Leopards are the most widely distributed of the large cats, ranging from Africa to the Russian Far East. Because of habitat fragmentation, high human population densities and the inherent adaptability of this species, they now occupy landscapes close to human settlements. As a result, they are the most common species involved in human wildlife conflict in India, necessitating their monitoring. However, their elusive nature makes such monitoring difficult. Recent advances in DNA methods along with non-invasive sampling techniques can be used to monitor populations and individuals across large landscapes including human dominated ones. In this paper, we describe a DNA-based method for leopard individual identification where we used fecal DNA samples to obtain genetic material. Further, we apply our methods to non-invasive samples collected in a human-dominated landscape to estimate the minimum number of leopards in this human-leopard conflict area in Western India.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In this study, 25 of the 29 tested cross-specific microsatellite markers showed positive amplification in 37 wild-caught leopards. These loci revealed varied levels of polymorphism (four-12 alleles) and heterozygosity (0.05-0.79). Combining data on amplification success (including non-invasive samples) and locus specific polymorphisms, we showed that eight loci provide a sibling probability of identity of 0.0005, suggesting that this panel can be used to discriminate individuals in the wild. When this microsatellite panel was applied to fecal samples collected from a human-dominated landscape, we identified 7 individuals, with a sibling probability of identity of 0.001. Amplification success of field collected scats was up to 72%, and genotype error ranged from 0-7.4%.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Our results demonstrated that the selected panel of eight microsatellite loci can conclusively identify leopards from various kinds of biological samples. Our methods can be used to monitor leopards over small and large landscapes to assess population trends, as well as could be tested for population assignment in forensic applications.</p

NvPOU4/Brain3 Functions as a Terminal Selector Gene in the Nervous System of the Cnidarian Nematostella vectensis

Terminal selectors are transcription factors that control the morphological, physiological, and molecular features that characterize distinct cell types. Here, we show that, in the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis, NvPOU4 is expressed in post-mitotic cells that give rise to a diverse set of neural cell types, including cnidocytes and NvElav1-expressing neurons. Morphological analyses of NvPOU4 mutants crossed to transgenic reporter lines show that the loss of NvPOU4 does not affect the initial specification of neural cells. Transcriptomes derived from the mutants and from different neural cell populations reveal that NvPOU4 is required for the execution of the terminal differentiation program of these neural cells. These findings suggest that POU4 genes have ancient functions as terminal selectors for morphologically and functionally disparate types of neurons and they provide experimental support for the relevance of terminal selectors for understanding the evolution of cell types.publishedVersio

A Polychaete’s Powerful Punch: Venom Gland Transcriptomics of Glycera Reveals a Complex Cocktail of Toxin Homologs

© The Author(s) 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Molecular Biology and Evolution. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted reuse, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. The article attached is the publisher's pdf