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The king cobra genome reveals dynamic gene evolution and adaptation in the snake venom system

2013; National Academy of Sciences; Volume: 110; Issue: 51 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1073/pnas.1314702110

1091-6490

Freek J. Vonk, Nicholas R. Casewell, Christiaan V. Henkel, Alysha M. Heimberg, Hans J. Jansen, Ryan J.R. McCleary, Harald M. E. Kerkkamp, Rutger Vos, Isabel Guerreiro, Juan J. Calvete, Wolfgang Wüster, Anthony E. Woods, Jessica M. Logan, Robert A. Harrison, Todd A. Castoe, A. P. Jason de Koning, David D. Pollock, Mark Yandell, Diego Calderon, Camila Renjifo, Rachel B. Currier, David Salgado, Davinia Plá, Líbia Sanz, Asad S. Hyder, José M. C. Ribeiro, Jan W. Arntzen, Guido E.E.J.M. van den Thillart, Marten Boetzer, Walter Pirovano, Ron P. Dirks, Herman P. Spaink, Denis Duboule, Edwina McGlinn, R. Manjunatha Kini, Michael K. Richardson,

Cellular transport and secretion

Significance Snake venoms are toxic protein cocktails used for prey capture. To investigate the evolution of these complex biological weapon systems, we sequenced the genome of a venomous snake, the king cobra, and assessed the composition of venom gland expressed genes, small RNAs, and secreted venom proteins. We show that regulatory components of the venom secretory system may have evolved from a pancreatic origin and that venom toxin genes were co-opted by distinct genomic mechanisms. After co-option, toxin genes important for prey capture have massively expanded by gene duplication and evolved under positive selection, resulting in protein neofunctionalization. This diverse and dramatic venom-related genomic response seemingly occurs in response to a coevolutionary arms race between venomous snakes and their prey.