From predators to bloodsuckers: Comparative Venomics of horseflies (Tabanidae) across life history stages

从捕食者到吸血鬼：马蝇（虻科）不同生命史阶段的比较毒液组学

• 批准号: 536604070
• 负责人: Dr. Jonas Krämer
• 金额: --
• 依托单位: Institut für Insektenbiotechnologie
• 依托单位国家: 德国
• 项目类别: WBP Position
• 资助国家: 德国
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://gepris.dfg.de/gepris/projekt/536604070?language=en
• 关键词: predators; bloodsuckers; Comparative; Venomics; horseflies

Venom research has provided fascinating insights into the composition and mode of action of venom cocktails of various animal groups. However, in the past, there was a bias towards studies on medically relevant groups. Also, intra-specific differences in the venom composition were only occasionally considered. In this regard, the hyper-diverse group of insects still comprises many venomous subgroups poorly studied by venom research. In addition, holometabolic insects in which larvae and adults both rely on the use of venom pose an interesting case to investigate the extent of intra-specific venom variation necessary to occupy different trophic niches. Horse flies (Tabanidae) are an especially promising model, as the predatory larvae utilize venom to overpower prey, whereas the adult females use it for the purpose of blood feeding. So far, no studies have been performed to investigate the transition of venom composition throughout an insect life cycle and, except for caterpillars, insect larvae have generally not been considered by venom research. The major goal of the proposed project is to gain insights into compositional and functional characteristics of horsefly venom throughout the life cycle of a native tabanid species. By identifying the stage-specific venom compounds I will investigate to what extent the transition from a predatory lifestyle of tabanid larvae to the blood feeding specialization of adult females is accompanied by a corresponding alteration of their venom composition. To achieve this, a comprehensive approach combining transcriptomic and proteomic workflows will be applied to reveal the genuine venom compounds of tabanid larvae and adults. In addition, several activity assays are planned with crude venom and single toxins to relate compositional and functional differences between venom of tabanid life stages.

毒液的研究提供了迷人的见解的成分和行动模式的毒液鸡尾酒的各种动物群体。然而，在过去，对医学相关群体的研究存在偏见。此外，毒液成分的种内差异只是偶尔考虑。在这方面，高度多样化的昆虫群体仍然包括许多毒液研究很少研究的有毒亚群。此外，全代谢昆虫的幼虫和成虫都依赖于使用毒液构成一个有趣的情况下，调查的程度内特定的毒液变化，需要占据不同的营养生态位。马蝇（虻科）是一个特别有前途的模式，因为捕食性幼虫利用毒液压倒猎物，而成年女性使用它的目的是吸血。到目前为止，还没有研究已经进行了调查的毒液成分在整个昆虫生命周期的过渡，除了毛虫，昆虫幼虫一般不被认为是毒液的研究。该项目的主要目标是深入了解本地虻属物种整个生命周期中马蝇毒液的成分和功能特征。通过确定特定阶段的毒液化合物，我将调查到什么程度的转变，从捕食性生活方式的虻幼虫的成年女性的血液喂养专业化是伴随着相应的改变，他们的毒液组成。为了实现这一目标，一个综合的方法相结合的转录组和蛋白质组学的工作流程将被应用于揭示真正的毒液化合物的虻幼虫和成人。此外，几个活性测定计划与粗毒液和单一毒素有关的组成和功能之间的差异毒虻的生命阶段。