Nettles & toxic toupees: the molecular weaponry of venomous caterpillars

荨麻

• 批准号: DP200102867
• 负责人: Dr Andrew Walker
• 金额: $ 31.25万
• 依托单位: The University of Queensland
• 依托单位国家: 澳大利亚
• 项目类别: Discovery Projects
• 财政年份: 2020
• 资助国家: 澳大利亚
• 起止时间: 2020-01-01 至 2023-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://dataportal.arc.gov.au/RGS/Web/Grants/DP200102867
• 关键词: Nettles; toxic; toupees; molecular; weaponry

This project aims to investigate the structure, function and evolution of peptide toxins in venoms made by caterpillars in superfamily Zygaenoidea. Caterpillars in this group are covered in spines that inject pain-causing venoms, and this protects them from vertebrate and invertebrate predators. This project will test if peptides in this venom cause pain by pharmacological modulation of mammalian ion channels and signalling receptors, and if they have insecticidal properties. The first three-dimensional structures of caterpillar venom peptides will also be solved. Genomes of representatives of two different zygaenoid families will be produced, and genomic techniques will be used to elucidate how venom use evolved at the molecular level.

本项目旨在研究蝎总科毛虫毒液中肽类毒素的结构、功能和进化。这类毛虫身上长满了刺，刺可以注射引起疼痛的毒液，这可以保护它们免受脊椎动物和无脊椎动物捕食者的伤害。该项目将测试这种毒液中的肽是否通过药理学调节哺乳动物离子通道和信号受体引起疼痛，以及它们是否具有杀虫特性。毛虫毒液肽的第一个三维结构也将得到解决。两个不同的zygaenoid家族的代表基因组将产生，基因组技术将被用来阐明如何毒液的使用在分子水平上演变。