Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Michael T. J. Hague, Lauren E. Miller, Amber N. Stokes, Chris R. Feldman, Edmund D. Brodie Jr, Edmund D. Brodie III
Summary: Antagonistic coevolution between natural enemies can lead to highly exaggerated traits, and this study found that common garter snakes in western North America have evolved conspicuous red coloration as a result of their coevolutionary arms race with toxic prey.
Article
Immunology
Meaghan Castledine, Pawel Sierocinski, Mhairi Inglis, Suzanne Kay, Alex Hayward, Angus Buckling, Daniel Padfield
Summary: Antagonistic coevolution between hosts and parasites has important implications in ecology and evolution. This study found that increasing the genetic diversity of parasites may give them an evolutionary advantage in long-term coevolution.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Bob Week, Scott L. Nuismer
Summary: The study introduces a novel approach to track the evolution of absolute fitness and determine when escalatory coevolution results in a switch from mutualism to parasitism. Results show that interactions mediated by a bigger-is-better mechanism tend to evolve towards parasitism, while generalizing the trait-matching mechanism may preserve mutualistic interactions. The study also discusses the consequences of coevolutionary arms races for the maintenance of cheating and the implications of coevolution in a South African pollination network for the evolution of parasitism.
AMERICAN NATURALIST
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
G. M. Bucciarelli, Farid Alsalek, L. B. Kats, D. B. Green, H. B. Shaffer
Summary: Toxin evolution in animals is a complex and fascinating area of scientific research. Understanding the factors that influence toxin evolution, such as genetics and ecology, as well as antagonistic interactions and coevolutionary dynamics, is crucial. By studying toxic Pacific newts and their coevolution with snake predators, we can gain insights into the evolution and ecology of toxins.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF ANIMAL BIOSCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Hector D. Menendez, David Clark, Earl T. Barr
Summary: Malware detection is an evolving arms race where attackers and defenders constantly seek advantage. White hats must be conservative to avoid false positives, while black hats usually only need to make incremental changes to evade detection. The method presented aims to accelerate the white hat's ability to counter the black hat's moves, forcing black hats to make disruptive moves more often.
Review
Entomology
Toshihiro Nagamine
Summary: Baculoviruses and their host insects have evolved together, but baculoviruses have also diverged independently to acquire new infection mechanisms. The genomes of baculoviruses contain anti-apoptotic genes and pseudogenes, indicating the possibility of ancient baculoviruses having genetic means to counter host apoptosis mechanisms.
PHYSIOLOGICAL ENTOMOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Pedro G. Nachtigall, Luciana A. Freitas-de-Sousa, Andrew J. Mason, Ana M. Moura-da-Silva, Felipe G. Grazziotin, Inacio L. M. Junqueira-de-Azevedo
Summary: Comparative analysis of venom compositions in B. cotiara and B. fonsecai revealed distinct regulatory mechanisms and expression profiles of toxin isoforms, suggesting that gene regulation plays a key role in venom evolution among species with conserved ecotypes.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Claire N. Spottiswoode, Wenfei Tong, Gabriel A. Jamie, Katherine F. Stryjewski, Jeffrey M. DaCosta, Evan R. Kuras, Ailsa Green, Silky Hamama, Ian G. Taylor, Collins Moya, Michael D. Sorenson
Summary: In coevolutionary arms races, interacting species impose selection on each other, generating reciprocal adaptations and counter adaptations. The host-specific egg mimicry in the African cuckoo finch is maternally inherited, enabling the evolution of different mimetic traits. However, maternal inheritance and the lack of sexual recombination may hinder the further adaptation of cuckoo finches and impede the ongoing arms races with their individual hosts.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sebastien Larreche, Jean-Philippe Chippaux, Lucie Chevillard, Simon Mathe, Dabor Resiere, Virginie Siguret, Bruno Megarbane
Summary: Toxins from Bothrops venoms target hemostasis, causing bleeding, vascular damage, and complications. These toxins include enzymatic and non-enzymatic proteins, affecting vessels, platelets, and coagulation factors leading to hemorrhage and thrombosis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rafael J. Borges, Guilherme H. M. Salvador, Henrique B. Campanelli, Daniel C. Pimenta, Mario de Oliveira Neto, Isabel Uson, Marcos R. M. Fontes
Summary: Phospholipases A(2) are commonly found in venomous snake families and can cause serious consequences in snakebites, requiring prompt antivenom administration. Bothrops jararacussu venom contains BthTX-II as a major component, with two variants a and b showing structural and functional differences. The variants exist as monomers in neutral conditions and dimers in acidic environments, maintaining catalytic activity in both states.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Diana Pontes Da Silva, Sarah De Sousa Ferreira, Manoela Torres-Rego, Allanny Alves Furtado, Fabiana De Oliveira Yamashita, Eduardo Augusto Da Silva Diniz, Davi Serradella Vieira, Marcela Abbott Galvao Ururahy, Arnobio Antonio Da Silva-Junior, Karla Patricia De Oliveira Luna, Matheus De Freitas Fernandes-Pedrosa
Summary: Bothrops leucurus is responsible for most snakebite cases in Northeast Brazil. This study evaluated the inhibitory effects of chlorogenic acid and rosmarinic acid on the venom of this snake species. The results showed that both compounds exhibited inhibitory effects on venom enzymes and reduced venom-induced edema. They also mitigated the effects of venom on serum biochemical markers and hemostatic parameters. Docking analysis revealed attractive interactions between the inhibitors and the venom toxins. Therefore, chlorogenic acid and rosmarinic acid have the potential to be used as adjuvants to complement antivenom serotherapy.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mauricio Frota Camacho, Daniel R. Stuginski, Debora Andrade-Silva, Milton Y. Nishiyama-Jr, Richard H. Valente, Andre Zelanis
Summary: Snake venom protein synthesis in the venom gland undergoes highly regulated processes, which occur within a defined period and specific cellular locations. Subcellular proteome analysis of B. jararaca venom gland identified a conserved core proteome among different life stages and between sexes. The highly abundant proteins in the venom gland showed similarities with highly expressed genes in human salivary glands, suggesting a conserved core signature of salivary gland secretory epithelium. The newborn venom gland displayed a unique expression signature, potentially reflecting the ontogenetic development constraints and contributing to venom proteome diversity.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Silvina M. Echeverria, Andrea C. Van de Velde, Daiana E. Luque, Cristhian M. Cardozo, Simon Kraemer, Maria del Carmen Gauna Pereira, Claudia C. Gay
Summary: Snake venom from Bothrops alternatus contains proteinases and phospholipases that inhibit platelet aggregation. This study investigated the effect of these venom components on platelet aggregation and found that metalloproteinases and phospholipases A2 are the main contributors to the inhibitory effect.
Article
Ecology
Stephanie O. Gutierrez, Dennis J. Minchella, Ximena E. Bernal
Summary: Predators and parasites play critical roles in shaping host populations and disease dynamics. Selective predation of infected and uninfected hosts can have different ecological implications, and may accelerate coevolution rates. Considering both scenarios of selective predation is necessary to fully understand the impact on prey and host densities.
Article
Ecology
Leandro D. Guerrero, Maria Perez, Esteban Orellana, Mariana Piuri, Cecilia Quiroga, Leonardo Erijman
Summary: This study investigated the dynamics of interaction between Gordonia and their phages in a full-scale wastewater treatment plant over a three-year period, revealing the coevolution processes at a relatively high time resolution. Analyzing genomic data showed low strain variability in Gordonia and almost clonal conservation of the CRISPR loci. Phages co-evolved by introducing directional changes, with no preference for mutations within specific regions. The complexity at the population level had important consequences for bacteria-phage coexistence, with certain host populations not acquiring newer spacers to combat coexisting phages.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Mohammadhossein Movassaghghazani, Nazanin Shabansalmani
Summary: The study revealed high levels of AFM1 in both breast milk and powdered milk samples in Tehran, with some samples exceeding the established limits. Therefore, monitoring and regulating toxin levels in these products is crucial for maternal and infant health.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Defeng Wen, Wantong Han, Quan Chen, Guanhui Qi, Mengling Gao, Pu Guo, Yu Liu, Zhongyuan Wu, Shulin Fu, Qirong Lu, Yinsheng Qiu
Summary: Luteolin can inhibit FB1-induced intestinal inflammatory injury by inhibiting the activation of NF-kappa B and ERK signaling pathways, according to network pharmacology and in vitro experiments.
