Nettles & toxic toupees: the molecular weaponry of venomous caterpillars

本项目旨在研究刺针超科毛虫毒液中肽类毒素的结构、功能及进化过程。这一组的毛虫身上覆盖着刺，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的捕食者的伤害。该项目将测试这种毒液中的肽是否通过对哺乳动物离子通道和信号受体的药理调节而引起疼痛，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。将产生两个不同的zygaenoid家族代表的基因组，并使用基因组技术来阐明毒液的使用是如何在分子水平上进化的。

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.