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      Proteomic Characterization of the Venom of Five Bombus ( Thoracobombus) Species

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          Abstract

          Venomous animals use venom, a complex biofluid composed of unique mixtures of proteins and peptides, to act on vital systems of the prey or predator. In bees, venom is solely used for defense against predators. However, the venom composition of bumble bees ( Bombus sp.) is largely unknown. The Thoracobombus subgenus of Bombus sp. is a diverse subgenus represented by 14 members across Turkey. In this study, we sought out to proteomically characterize the venom of five Thoracobombus species by using bottom-up proteomic techniques. We have obtained two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel (2D-PAGE) images of each species’ venom sample. We have subsequently identified the protein spots by using matrix assisted laser desorption ionization/time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). We have identified 47 proteins for Bombus humilis, 32 for B. pascuorum, 60 for B. ruderarius, 39 for B. sylvarum, and 35 for B. zonatus. Moreover, we illustrated that intensities of 2DE protein spots corresponding to putative venom toxins vary in a species-specific manner. Our analyses provide the primary proteomic characterization of five bumble bee species’ venom composition.

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          Venoms as a platform for human drugs: translating toxins into therapeutics.

          Glenn King (2011)
          An extraordinarily diverse range of animals have evolved venoms for predation, defence, or competitor deterrence. The major components of most venoms are peptides and proteins that are often protease-resistant due to their disulfide-rich architectures. Some of these toxins have become valuable as pharmacological tools and/or therapeutics due to their extremely high specificity and potency for particular molecular targets. There are currently six FDA-approved drugs derived from venom peptides or proteins. This article surveys the current pipeline of venom-derived therapeutics and critically examines the potential of peptide and protein drugs derived from venoms. Emerging trends are identified, including an increasing industry focus on disulfide-rich venom peptides and the use of a broader array of molecular targets in order to develop venom-based therapeutics for treating a wider range of clinical conditions. Key technical advances in combination with a renewed industry-wide focus on biologics have converged to provide a larger than ever pipeline of venom-derived therapeutics. Disulfide-rich venom peptides obviate some of the traditional disadvantages of therapeutic peptides and some may be suitable for oral administration. Moreover, some venom peptides can breach the blood brain barrier and translocate across cell membranes, which opens up the possibility of exploiting molecular targets not previously accessible to peptide drugs.
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            The genomes of two key bumblebee species with primitive eusocial organization

            Background The shift from solitary to social behavior is one of the major evolutionary transitions. Primitively eusocial bumblebees are uniquely placed to illuminate the evolution of highly eusocial insect societies. Bumblebees are also invaluable natural and agricultural pollinators, and there is widespread concern over recent population declines in some species. High-quality genomic data will inform key aspects of bumblebee biology, including susceptibility to implicated population viability threats. Results We report the high quality draft genome sequences of Bombus terrestris and Bombus impatiens, two ecologically dominant bumblebees and widely utilized study species. Comparing these new genomes to those of the highly eusocial honeybee Apis mellifera and other Hymenoptera, we identify deeply conserved similarities, as well as novelties key to the biology of these organisms. Some honeybee genome features thought to underpin advanced eusociality are also present in bumblebees, indicating an earlier evolution in the bee lineage. Xenobiotic detoxification and immune genes are similarly depauperate in bumblebees and honeybees, and multiple categories of genes linked to social organization, including development and behavior, show high conservation. Key differences identified include a bias in bumblebee chemoreception towards gustation from olfaction, and striking differences in microRNAs, potentially responsible for gene regulation underlying social and other traits. Conclusions These two bumblebee genomes provide a foundation for post-genomic research on these key pollinators and insect societies. Overall, gene repertoires suggest that the route to advanced eusociality in bees was mediated by many small changes in many genes and processes, and not by notable expansion or depauperation. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13059-015-0623-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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              Insect pollination of crops

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                Author and article information

                Contributors
                Role: Academic Editor
                Journal
                Toxins (Basel)
                Toxins (Basel)
                toxins
                Toxins
                MDPI
                2072-6651
                11 November 2017
                November 2017
                : 9
                : 11
                : 362
                Affiliations
                [1 ]Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Hacettepe University, 06800 Ankara, Turkey; pinar.barkan@ 123456gu.se
                [2 ]Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland; mbayazit@ 123456unil.ch
                [3 ]Faculty of Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Ankara University, 06830 Ankara, Turkey
                Author notes
                [* ]Correspondence: ozeldemiralp@ 123456gmail.com ; Tel.: +90-312-600-0100-1847
                [†]

                Current Address: Institute of Clinical Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Sahlgrenska Academy, 41390 Gothenburg, Sweden.

                Author information
                https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1393-6743
                https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3935-0302
                Article
                toxins-09-00362
                10.3390/toxins9110362
                5705977
                29137123
                3e307469-8c98-4c0a-90b3-c78d3eaeddc9
                © 2017 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 ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

                History
                : 05 October 2017
                : 02 November 2017
                Categories
                Article

                Molecular medicine
                bumble bees,toxins,maldi-tof ms,proteomics,2d-page,venom
                Molecular medicine
                bumble bees, toxins, maldi-tof ms, proteomics, 2d-page, venom

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