Proteo-Transcriptomic Analysis Identifies Potential Novel Toxins Secreted by the Predatory, Prey-Piercing Ribbon Worm Amphiporus lactifloreus.

摘要: Nemerteans (ribbon worms) employ toxins to subdue their prey, but research thus far has focused on the small-molecule components of mucus secretions and few protein have been characterized. We carried out a preliminary proteotranscriptomic analysis putative produced by hoplonemertean Amphiporus lactifloreus (Hoplonemertea, Amphiporidae). No variants were found known nemertean-specific toxin proteins (neurotoxins, cytotoxins, parbolysins or nemertides) several toxin-like transcripts discovered, expressed strongly in proboscis, including metalloproteinases sequences resembling sea anemone actitoxins, crown-of-thorn star plancitoxins, multiple classes inhibitor cystine knot/knottin family proteins. Some these products also directly identified proteome, supporting identification as secreted components. Two new nemertean-typical candidates could be described named U-nemertotoxin-1 U-nemertotoxin-2. Our findings provide insight into largely overlooked venom system nemerteans support hypothesis which nemertean proboscis evolved steps from flesh-melting organ scavenging toxin-secreting apparatus hunting hoplonemerteans.