Qualitative and Quantitative Proteomic Analysis of Venoms from Mexican Rattlesnakes

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  Qualitative and Quantitative Proteomic Analysis of Venoms from Mexican Rattlesnakes Abstract Despite the vast biodiversity of Mexican vipers, venom of endemic species has been barely studied. Here we analyzed the venom composition of three endemic species of rattlesnakes: Crotalus aquilus , C. triseriatus , and C. ravus . We used quantitative chromato-mass-spectrometry and compared venoms with C. molossus , a species commonly found in North America, in a comparative and phylogenetic framework. In total, we identified 165 proteins grouped in 19 main protein families, consistent with previous reports for viperid venoms. In C. aquilus and C. triseriatus , the most predominant protein-family type was Serine Proteases, and in C. triseriatus and C. molossus it was Snake Venom Metalloproteases. The Label-free quantification revealed a high proportion of Snake Venom Metalloproteases in C. aquilus , C. triseriatus , and C. molossus , reaching 28–47% of the total venom. In contrast, in ...

An additional mechanism of HSD3B in regulating maternal care behavior in the wolf spiders, neuropeptides

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An additional mechanism of HSD3B in regulating maternal care behavior in the wolf spiders, neuropeptides

Abstract

Maternal care is crucial for offspring survival across species. Pardosa pseudoannulata (Araneae, Lycosidae), a natural predator of insect pests in agroecosystems, is known for its hunting abilities and maternal care behaviors, including eggsac-carrying and pulli-carrying behaviors. Pulli-carrying refers to the female spider carrying her offspring (pulli) while exhibiting low levels of cannibalism. Neuropeptides are closely linked to maternal care in animals. In this study, we identified several neuropeptide genes that exhibit expression changes associated with pulli-carrying behavior. Pyrokinin (PK) and sulfakinin (SK) were upregulated, whereas agatoxin-like peptide 4 (ALP4) and gonadotropin-releasing hormone-related peptide (GnRH) were downregulated in pulli-carrying females, compared with non-pulli-carrying females. Behavioral experiments confirmed SK, PK, and ALP4 play regulatory roles in pulli-carrying behavior. Additionally, HSD3B (3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase), a key enzyme in progesterone biosynthesis, influenced pulli-carrying behavior not only through progesterone regulation but also by modulating the expression of PK and SK. Furthermore, pesticide inhibited HSD3B activity, affecting pulli-carrying behavior. Following pesticide treatment, ALP4 was downregulated by two-fold after exposure to difenoconazole and topramezone, suggesting pesticides maybe also impair pulli-carrying behavior by suppressing ALP4. Although it requires more experimental data to verification. This study provides new insights into the neuropeptide mechanisms underlying the regulation of pulli-carrying behavior and highlights the roles of HSD3B and pesticide in modulating maternal care through neuropeptide pathways.
Chen, Y., Xu, T., Wang, J., Wang, Y., Yu, N., Chen, T., & Liu, Z. (2026). An additional mechanism of HSD3B in regulating maternal care behavior in the wolf spiders, neuropeptides. Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology, 216, 106753. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pestbp.2025.106753