Spider genomes provide insight into composition and evolution of venom and silk

Kristian W Sanggaard, Jesper S Bechsgaard, Xiaodong Fang, Jinjie Duan, Thomas F Dyrlund, Vikas Gupta, Xuanting Jiang, Ling Cheng, Dingding Fan, Yue Feng, Lijuan Han, Zhiyong Huang, Zongze Wu, Li Liao, Virginia Settepani, Ida B Thøgersen, Bram Vanthournout, Tobias Wang, Yabing Zhu, Peter FunchJan Johannes Enghild, Leif Schauser, Stig U Andersen, Palle Villesen, Mikkel Heide Schierup, Trine Bilde, Jun Wang

Research output: Contribution to journal/Conference contribution in journal/Contribution to newspaperJournal articleResearchpeer-review

226 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Spiders are ecologically important predators with complex venom and extraordinarily tough silk that enables capture of large prey. Here we present the assembled genome of the social velvet spider and a draft assembly of the tarantula genome that represent two major taxonomic groups of spiders. The spider genomes are large with short exons and long introns, reminiscent of mammalian genomes. Phylogenetic analyses place spiders and ticks as sister groups supporting polyphyly of the Acari. Complex sets of venom and silk genes/proteins are identified. We find that venom genes evolved by sequential duplication, and that the toxic effect of venom is most likely activated by proteases present in the venom. The set of silk genes reveals a highly dynamic gene evolution, new types of silk genes and proteins, and a novel use of aciniform silk. These insights create new opportunities for pharmacological applications of venom and biomaterial applications of silk.

Original languageEnglish
Article number3765
JournalNature Communications
Volume5
Number of pages11
ISSN2041-1723
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2014

Keywords

  • Biological sciences
  • Evolution
  • Genetics

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Spider genomes provide insight into composition and evolution of venom and silk'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this