Contextual Constraints: Dynamic Evolution of Snake Venom Phospholipase A<sub>2</sub>
Venom is a dynamic trait that has contributed to the success of numerous organismal lineages. Predominantly composed of proteins, these complex cocktails are deployed for predation and/or self-defence. Many non-toxic physiological proteins have been convergently and recurrently recruited by venomous...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-06-01
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| Series: | Toxins |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/14/6/420 |
| _version_ | 1797481766971244544 |
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| author | Vivek Suranse Timothy N. W. Jackson Kartik Sunagar |
| author_facet | Vivek Suranse Timothy N. W. Jackson Kartik Sunagar |
| author_sort | Vivek Suranse |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Venom is a dynamic trait that has contributed to the success of numerous organismal lineages. Predominantly composed of proteins, these complex cocktails are deployed for predation and/or self-defence. Many non-toxic physiological proteins have been convergently and recurrently recruited by venomous animals into their toxin arsenal. Phospholipase A<sub>2</sub> (PLA<sub>2</sub>) is one such protein and features in the venoms of many organisms across the animal kingdom, including snakes of the families Elapidae and Viperidae. Understanding the evolutionary history of this superfamily would therefore provide insight into the origin and diversification of venom toxins and the evolution of novelty more broadly. The literature is replete with studies that have identified diversifying selection as the sole influence on PLA<sub>2</sub> evolution. However, these studies have largely neglected the structural/functional constraints on PLA<sub>2</sub>s, and the ecology and evolutionary histories of the diverse snake lineages that produce them. By considering these crucial factors and employing evolutionary analyses integrated with a schema for the classification of PLA<sub>2</sub>s, we uncovered lineage-specific differences in selection regimes. Thus, our work provides novel insights into the evolution of this major snake venom toxin superfamily and underscores the importance of considering the influence of evolutionary and ecological contexts on molecular evolution. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T22:19:13Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6e858471cb524756b236846de878641d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2072-6651 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T22:19:13Z |
| publishDate | 2022-06-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Toxins |
| spelling | doaj.art-6e858471cb524756b236846de878641d2023-11-23T19:17:38ZengMDPI AGToxins2072-66512022-06-0114642010.3390/toxins14060420Contextual Constraints: Dynamic Evolution of Snake Venom Phospholipase A<sub>2</sub>Vivek Suranse0Timothy N. W. Jackson1Kartik Sunagar2Evolutionary Venomics Laboratory, Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, IndiaAustralian Venom Research Unit, Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, AustraliaEvolutionary Venomics Laboratory, Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore 560012, IndiaVenom is a dynamic trait that has contributed to the success of numerous organismal lineages. Predominantly composed of proteins, these complex cocktails are deployed for predation and/or self-defence. Many non-toxic physiological proteins have been convergently and recurrently recruited by venomous animals into their toxin arsenal. Phospholipase A<sub>2</sub> (PLA<sub>2</sub>) is one such protein and features in the venoms of many organisms across the animal kingdom, including snakes of the families Elapidae and Viperidae. Understanding the evolutionary history of this superfamily would therefore provide insight into the origin and diversification of venom toxins and the evolution of novelty more broadly. The literature is replete with studies that have identified diversifying selection as the sole influence on PLA<sub>2</sub> evolution. However, these studies have largely neglected the structural/functional constraints on PLA<sub>2</sub>s, and the ecology and evolutionary histories of the diverse snake lineages that produce them. By considering these crucial factors and employing evolutionary analyses integrated with a schema for the classification of PLA<sub>2</sub>s, we uncovered lineage-specific differences in selection regimes. Thus, our work provides novel insights into the evolution of this major snake venom toxin superfamily and underscores the importance of considering the influence of evolutionary and ecological contexts on molecular evolution.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/14/6/420phospholipase A<sub>2</sub>snake venomvenom evolutionvenom ecologyElapidaeViperidae |
| spellingShingle | Vivek Suranse Timothy N. W. Jackson Kartik Sunagar Contextual Constraints: Dynamic Evolution of Snake Venom Phospholipase A<sub>2</sub> Toxins phospholipase A<sub>2</sub> snake venom venom evolution venom ecology Elapidae Viperidae |
| title | Contextual Constraints: Dynamic Evolution of Snake Venom Phospholipase A<sub>2</sub> |
| title_full | Contextual Constraints: Dynamic Evolution of Snake Venom Phospholipase A<sub>2</sub> |
| title_fullStr | Contextual Constraints: Dynamic Evolution of Snake Venom Phospholipase A<sub>2</sub> |
| title_full_unstemmed | Contextual Constraints: Dynamic Evolution of Snake Venom Phospholipase A<sub>2</sub> |
| title_short | Contextual Constraints: Dynamic Evolution of Snake Venom Phospholipase A<sub>2</sub> |
| title_sort | contextual constraints dynamic evolution of snake venom phospholipase a sub 2 sub |
| topic | phospholipase A<sub>2</sub> snake venom venom evolution venom ecology Elapidae Viperidae |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6651/14/6/420 |
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