Koludarov, Ivan, Jackson, Timothy NW, den Brouw, Bianca op, Dobson, James, Dashevsky, Daniel, Arbuckle, Kevin 
ORCID: 0000-0002-9171-5874, Clemente, Christofer J, Stockdale, Edward J, Cochran, Chip, Debono, Jordan et al (show 12 more authors)
(2017)
Enter the Dragon: The Dynamic and Multifunctional Evolution of Anguimorpha Lizard Venoms.
TOXINS, 9 (8).
E242-.
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Enter the Dragon: The Dynamic and Multifunctional Evolution of Anguimorpha Lizard Venoms.pdf - Published version Download (15MB) | Preview |
Abstract
While snake venoms have been the subject of intense study, comparatively little work has been done on lizard venoms. In this study, we have examined the structural and functional diversification of anguimorph lizard venoms and associated toxins, and related these results to dentition and predatory ecology. Venom composition was shown to be highly variable across the 20 species of <i>Heloderma</i>, <i>Lanthanotus</i>, and <i>Varanus</i> included in our study. While kallikrein enzymes were ubiquitous, they were also a particularly multifunctional toxin type, with differential activities on enzyme substrates and also ability to degrade alpha or beta chains of fibrinogen that reflects structural variability. Examination of other toxin types also revealed similar variability in their presence and activity levels. The high level of venom chemistry variation in varanid lizards compared to that of helodermatid lizards suggests that venom may be subject to different selection pressures in these two families. These results not only contribute to our understanding of venom evolution but also reveal anguimorph lizard venoms to be rich sources of novel bioactive molecules with potential as drug design and development lead compounds.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | venom, lizard, evolution, Toxicofera, coagulation, fibrinogen, proteomics |
| Depositing User: | Symplectic Admin |
| Date Deposited: | 14 May 2019 10:01 |
| Last Modified: | 13 Feb 2024 12:56 |
| DOI: | 10.3390/toxins9080242 |
| Open Access URL: | https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins9080242 |
| Related URLs: | |
| URI: | https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3041226 |
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