Proteomic characterization of the fibroin-based silk fibers produced by weaver ant Camponotus textor.

The fibroin-based silk fibers of weaver ants are an alternative biomaterial to be investigated and explored for potential biomedical applications. In this context, the silk fibers from the nest of the weaver ant Camponotus textor was solubilized and fractionated by gel permeation. The different fractions were collected, pooled and submitted to analysis with a series of biochemical methods, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, analytical proteomic strategies, and data treatment with bioinformatic tools to perform the structural characterization of the fibroin-based silk fibers produced by the ant.

The experience of teaching introductory programming skills to bioscientists in Brazil.

Computational biology has gained traction as an independent scientific discipline over the last years in South America. However, there is still a growing need for bioscientists, from different backgrounds, with different levels, to acquire programming skills, which could reduce the time from data to insights and bridge communication between life scientists and computer scientists. Python is a programming language extensively used in bioinformatics and data science, which is particularly suitable for beginners.

Salivary glands in workers of Ruptitermes spp. (Blattaria, Isoptera, Termitidae, Apicotermitinae): a morphological and preoteomic approach.

Salivary glands are omnipresent in termites and occur in all developmental stages and castes. They function to produce, store, and secrete compounds, ranging from a feeding function to defensive mechanisms. Here, we provide a complete morphological overview of the salivary glands in the soldierless species Ruptitermes reconditus and R.

Revealing the Venomous Secrets of the Spider's Web.

Orb-weaving spiders use a highly strong, sticky and elastic web to catch their prey. These web properties alone would be enough for the entrapment of prey; however, these spiders may be hiding venomous secrets in the web, which current research is revealing. Here, we provide strong proteotranscriptomic evidence for the presence of toxin/neurotoxin-like proteins, defensins, and proteolytic enzymes on the web silk from spider.

Improved production of the recombinant phospholipase A1 from wasp venom expressed in bacterial cells for use in routine diagnostics.

Phospholipase A1 (PLA1) is one of the three major allergens identified in the venom of (Hymenoptera: Vespidae), a clinically relevant wasp from southeastern Brazil. The recombinant form of this allergen (rPoly p 1) could be used for the development of molecular diagnostic of venom allergy. Early attempts to produce rPoly p 1 using BL21 (DE3) cells rendered high yields of the insoluble rPoly p 1 but with low levels of solubilized protein recovery (12%).

Digestion of Intact Gluten Proteins by Species: Reduction of Cytotoxicity and Proinflammatory Responses.

Celiac disease (CD) is a chronic illness characterized by an inflammatory process triggered by gluten protein intake. Recent evidence has suggested that the lower relative abundance of bifidobacteria in the intestinal lumen may be associated with CD. Herein, we assessed the effect of the species , , , alone, and also a consortium on the digestion of intact gluten proteins (gliadins and glutenins) and the associated immunomodulatory responses elicited by the resulting peptides.

Proteomic-components provide insights into the defensive secretion in termite workers of the soldierless genus Ruptitermes.

Termite soldiers constitute the defensive frontline of the colonies, despite workers also perform such tasks, especially within the Neotropical Apicotermitinae, in which all species are soldierless. Workers of the genus Ruptitermes display an extreme form of defense, characterized by body rupture and release of a sticky secretion. Previous observations suggested that such behavior may be advantageous against enemies, but the chemical composition of this secretion has been neglected.

A proteotranscriptomic study of silk-producing glands from the orb-weaving spiders.

Orb-weaving spiders can produce different silk fibers, which constitute outstanding materials characterized by their high strength and elasticity. Researchers have tried to reproduce the fibers of these proteins synthetically and/or by using recombinant DNA technology, but only a few of the natural physicochemical and biophysical properties have been obtained to date. Female orb-web-spiders present seven silk-glands, which synthesize the spidroins and a series of other proteins, which interact with the spidroins, resulting in silk fibers with notable physicochemical properties.

Revisiting Polybia paulista wasp venom using shotgun proteomics - Insights into the N-linked glycosylated venom proteins.

The partial proteome of Polybia paulista wasp venom was previously reported elsewhere using a gel-dependent approach and resulted in the identification of a limited number of venom toxins. Here, we reinvestigated the P. paulista venom using a gel-free shotgun proteomic approach; the highly dynamic range of this approach facilitated the detection and identification of 1673 proteins, of which 23 venom proteins presented N-linked glycosylation as a posttranslational modification.

MALDI Imaging Analysis of Neuropeptides in Africanized Honeybee ( Apis mellifera) Brain: Effect of Aggressiveness.

Aggressiveness in honeybees seems to be regulated by multiple genes, under the influence of different factors, such as polyethism of workers, environmental factors, and response to alarm pheromones, creating a series of behavioral responses. It is suspected that neuropeptides seem to be involved with the regulation of the aggressive behavior. The role of allatostatin and tachykinin-related neuropeptides in honeybee brain during the aggressive behavior is unknown, and thus worker honeybees were stimulated to attack and to sting leather targets hung in front of the colonies.

Silkomics: Insight into the Silk Spinning Process of Spiders.

The proteins from the silk-producing glands were identified using both a bottom-up gel-based proteomic approach as well as from a shotgun proteomic approach. Additionally, the relationship between the functions of identified proteins and the spinning process was studied. A total of 125 proteins were identified in the major ampullate, 101 in the flagelliform, 77 in the aggregate, 75 in the tubuliform, 68 in the minor ampullate, and 23 in aciniform glands.

Using a proteometabolomic approach to investigate the role of Dufour's gland in pheromone biosynthesis in the social wasp Polybia paulista.

Unlabelled: Dufour's gland is associated with the venom apparatuses of social wasps and bees. This location and its evolutionary adaptations indicate that it could be involved in the production of alarm pheromones in the social wasp Polybia paulista. To investigate this hypothesis, the volatile composition of this gland was analyzed and compared to that in the venom.