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ABSTRACT
Introduction
Snake venoms contain many protein and peptide isoforms with high levels of sequence variation, even within a single species.
Areas covered
In this review, we highlight several examples, from both published and unpublished work in our lab, demonstrating how a combined venom gland transcriptome and proteome methodology allows for comprehensive characterization of venoms, including those from understudied rear-fanged snake species, and we provide recommendations for using these approaches.
Expert Opinion
When characterizing venoms, peptide mass fingerprinting using databases built predominately from protein sequences originating from model organisms can be disadvantageous, especially when the intention is to document protein diversity. Therefore, the use of species-specific venom gland transcriptomes corrects for the absence of these unique peptide sequences in databases. The integration of transcriptomics and proteomics improves the accuracy of either approach alone for venom profiling.
Supplementary material
Supplemental data for this article can be accessed here.
Article highlights
Use of a species-specific venom gland transcriptome allows for more accurate proteomic quantification of venom components
Different databases can bias proteomic results, and smaller databases increase detection sensitivity
Species-specific databases better detect unique peptide sequences
Declaration of interests
The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.