Proteotranscriptomic Insights into the Venom Composition of the Wolf Spider Lycosa tarantula

Abstract

Spider venoms represent an original source of novel compounds with therapeutic and agrochemical potential. Whereas most of the research efforts have focused on large mygalomorph spiders, araneomorph spiders are equally promising but require more sensitive and sophisticated approaches given their limited size and reduced venom yield. Belonging to the latter group, the genus Lycosa (“wolf spiders”) contains many species widely distributed throughout the world. These spiders are ambush predators that do not build webs but instead rely strongly on their venom for prey capture. Lycosa tarantula is one of the largest species of wolf spider, but its venom composition is unknown. Using a combination of RNA sequencing of the venom glands and venom proteomics, we provide the first overview of the peptides and proteins produced by this iconic Mediterranean spider. Beside the typical small disulfide rich neurotoxins, several families of proteins were also identified, including cysteine-rich secretory proteins (CRISP) and Hyaluronidases. Proteomic analysis of the electrically stimulated venom validated 30 of these transcriptomic sequences, including nine putative neurotoxins and eight venom proteins. Interestingly, LC-MS venom profiles of manual versus electric stimulation, as well as female versus male, showed some marked differences in mass distribution. Finally, we also present some preliminary data on the biological activity of L. tarantula crude venom.

Composition and toxicity of venom produced by araneophagous white-tailed spiders (Lamponidae: Lampona sp.)

“…It is possible that toxins with a more complex structure than the typical ICK motif, and containing more than six cysteine residues, are prominent in the Araneomorphae infraorder, although such a conclusion may be premature based on the current limited sampling of araneomorph spider venoms 24 . Indeed, these two lampotoxin families show complex cysteine scaffolds, similar to other toxins reported to exist in araneomorph venoms [24][25][26][27][28][29] . Cysteine-rich venom peptides are typically neurotoxins that target various ion channels 30 , suggesting a similar role for these Lampona peptides.…”

De Novo Transcriptome Analysis of the Venom of Latrodectus geometricus with the Discovery of an Insect-Selective Na Channel Modulator

“…In recent years, the transcriptomics approach has been utilized to identify the peptides, proteins, enzymes, and other components found in spider venom glands [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 ]. Even though transcriptome analyses have been used to study the gene expression level and function of venom components in various spiders, there is currently a lack of transcriptome information regarding L. geometricus venom.…”