Convergent evolution of pain-inducing defensive venom components in spitting cobras

Convergent evolution provides insights into the selective drivers underlying evolutionary change. Snake venoms, with a direct genetic basis and clearly defined functional phenotype, provide a model system for exploring the repeated evolution of adaptations. While snakes use venom primarily for preda...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 2021-01, Vol.371 (6527), p.386-390
Main Authors: Kazandjian, T D, Petras, D, Robinson, S D, van Thiel, J, Greene, H W, Arbuckle, K, Barlow, A, Carter, D A, Wouters, R M, Whiteley, G, Wagstaff, S C, Arias, A S, Albulescu, L-O, Plettenberg Laing, A, Hall, C, Heap, A, Penrhyn-Lowe, S, McCabe, C V, Ainsworth, S, da Silva, R R, Dorrestein, P C, Richardson, M K, Gutiérrez, J M, Calvete, J J, Harrison, R A, Vetter, I, Undheim, E A B, Wüster, W, Casewell, N R
Format: Article
Language:eng ; nor
Subjects:
Adaptation
Adaptation, Biological - genetics
Animals
Convergence
Cytotoxicity
Cytotoxins
Elapid Venoms - enzymology
Elapid Venoms - genetics
Elapidae - classification
Elapidae - genetics
Evolution
Evolution, Molecular
Group IV Phospholipases A2 - genetics
Mammals
Neurons
Pain
Paralysis
Phenotypes
Phospholipase
Phospholipase A2
Phylogeny
Predation
Predators
Prey
Sensory neurons
Sensory Receptor Cells - metabolism
Sensory Receptor Cells - physiology
Snakes
Toxins
Venom
Venom toxins
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Summary:Convergent evolution provides insights into the selective drivers underlying evolutionary change. Snake venoms, with a direct genetic basis and clearly defined functional phenotype, provide a model system for exploring the repeated evolution of adaptations. While snakes use venom primarily for predation, and venom composition often reflects diet specificity, three lineages of cobras have independently evolved the ability to spit venom at adversaries. Using gene, protein, and functional analyses, we show that the three spitting lineages possess venoms characterized by an up-regulation of phospholipase A (PLA ) toxins, which potentiate the action of preexisting venom cytotoxins to activate mammalian sensory neurons and cause enhanced pain. These repeated independent changes provide a fascinating example of convergent evolution across multiple phenotypic levels driven by selection for defense.
ISSN:0036-8075
1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.abb9303