Journal article
Enter the Dragon: The Dynamic and Multifunctional Evolution of Anguimorpha Lizard Venoms
Toxins, Vol.9(8), pp.1-37
2017
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 Heloderma, Lanthanotus, and Varanus 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.
Details
- Title
- Enter the Dragon: The Dynamic and Multifunctional Evolution of Anguimorpha Lizard Venoms
- Authors
- Ivan Koludarov (Author) - University of QueenslandTimothy N W Jackson (Author) - University of QueenslandBianca op den Brouw (Author) - University of QueenslandJames Dobson (Author) - University of QueenslandDaniel Dashevsky (Author) - University of QueenslandKevin Arbuckle (Author) - Swansea University, United KingdomChristofer J Clemente (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and EngineeringEdward J Stockdale (Author) - Gradient Scientific and Technical DivingChip Cochran (Author) - Loma Linda University, United StatesJordan Debono (Author) - University of QueenslandCarson Stephens (Author) - Queensland University of TechnologyNadya Panagides (Author) - University of QueenslandBin Li (Author) - University of Macau, MacauMary-Louise Roy Manchadi (Author) - University of QueenslandAude Violette (Author) - Alphabiotoxine Laboratory sprl, BelgiumRudy Fourmy (Author) - Alphabiotoxine Laboratory sprl, BelgiumIwan Hendrikx (Author) - University of QueenslandAmanda Nouwens (Author) - University of QueenslandJudith Clements (Author) - Queensland University of TechnologyPaolo Martelli (Author) - Veterinary Department, Hong KongHang Fai Kwok (Author) - University of Macau, MacauBryan G Fry (Author) - University of Queensland
- Publication details
- Toxins, Vol.9(8), pp.1-37
- Publisher
- MDPI AG
- Date published
- 2017
- DOI
- 10.3390/toxins9080242
- ISSN
- 2072-6651
- Copyright note
- Copyright © 2017 The Authors. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. (CC BY 4.0).
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; School of Science, Technology and Engineering
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99450438502621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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- Domestic collaboration
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- Food Science & Technology
- Toxicology
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