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Published VersionCC BY V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
Mucus Trail Proteins May Infer Reproductive Readiness for Land Snails
Biology , Vol.14(3), pp.1-13
2025
PMID: 40136550
Abstract
Mucus trails are defining features of the class Gastropoda, which includes snails and slugs. While several studies have shown that mucus trails are followed by conspecifics, the detectable elements in the mucus have not been clearly identified. This is particularly relevant during periods of reproduction, whereby conspecific cues are critical for mate finding. A better understanding of the mucus’ molecular components, including proteins differentially represented between the reproductive and non-reproductive stages, could aid the development of novel eco-friendly biocontrol approaches. In this study, we investigated the mucus trails of the globally invasive land snail Cernuella virgata, which has become a significant pest to the grain industry. We conducted a comparative proteomic analysis of the non-reproductive- and reproductive-stage trail mucus, whereby 533 proteins were identified, including 191 and 226 stage-exclusive proteins, respectively. Subsequent comparative tissue transcriptomic analysis found that the albumen gland, which is the key gland for the preparation of fertilized eggs prior to egg laying, was the primary source of secreted proteins present in the reproductive stage trail mucus. This included leukocyte elastase inhibitors, achacin, perlucin, and other proteins without any known function (uncharacterized). In summary, our results strongly implicate the albumen gland as a source for snail trail mucus proteins deposited during the reproductive stage, suggesting a mechanism that could convey their reproductive status to conspecifics. Further research testing their bioactivity related to chemical communication is paramount and may assist in the development of a novel biocontrol strategy.
Details
- Title
- Mucus Trail Proteins May Infer Reproductive Readiness for Land Snails
- Authors
- Kate R. Ballard - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Centre for BioinnovationTomer Ventura - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Centre for BioinnovationTianfang Wang - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Centre for BioinnovationAbigail Elizur - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Centre for BioinnovationScott F. Cummins (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Centre for Bioinnovation
- Publication details
- Biology , Vol.14(3), pp.1-13
- Publisher
- MDPI AG
- Date published
- 2025
- DOI
- 10.3390/biology14030294
- ISSN
- 2079-7737
- PMID
- 40136550
- Copyright note
- © 2025 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
- Data Availability
- The RNA-seq assemblies are available from PRJNA850094 and PRJNA858108.
- Grants
- The bioactivity and functionality of the molecular and microbial components of snail mucus, USU1903-001RSX, Grains Research and Development Corporation (Australia, Canberra) - GRDC
- Organisation Unit
- School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Centre for Bioinnovation
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991113850902621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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