A peptide toxin in ant venom mimics vertebrate EGF-like hormones to cause long-lasting hypersensitivity in mammals.

Abstract

Venoms are excellent model systems for studying evolutionary processes associated with predator-prey interactions. Here, we present the discovery of a peptide toxin, MIITX2-Mg1a, which is a major component of the venom of the Australian giant red bull ant Myrmecia gulosa and has evolved to mimic, both structurally and functionally, vertebrate epidermal growth factor (EGF) peptide hormones. We show that Mg1a is a potent agonist of the mammalian EGF receptor ErbB1, and that intraplantar injection in mice causes long-lasting hypersensitivity of the injected paw. These data reveal a previously undescribed venom mode of action, highlight a role for ErbB receptors in mammalian pain signaling, and provide an example of molecular mimicry driven by defensive selection pressure.

• Authors: David A Eagles, Natalie J Saez, Bankala Krishnarjuna, Julia J Bradford, Yanni K-Y Chin, Hana Starobova, Alexander Mueller, Melissa E Reichelt, Eivind A B Undheim, Raymond S Norton, Walter G Thomas, Irina Vetter, Glenn F King, Samuel D Robinson
• Journal: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A) Vol. 119 Issue 7 (02 15 2022) ISSN: 1091-6490 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 35131940 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2022 the Author(s). Published by PNAS.

Chemical References

• Ant Venoms
• Toxins, Biological
• Epidermal Growth Factor

Topics

• Amino Acid Sequence
• Animals
• Ant Venoms (chemistry)
• Ants (physiology)
• Drug Hypersensitivity
• Epidermal Growth Factor (chemistry)
• Insect Bites and Stings
• Mice
• Molecular Mimicry
• Toxins, Biological (chemistry)