We also found three proteins that may be involved in endogenous self-defense. Additionally, we explored expression levels and rate of evolution of these venom genes and the origins of key duplications that led to toxin neofunctionalization. Our findings show that B. brevicauda’s venom composition is simple relative to their broad diet and is likely limited to seven proteins from six gene families. We generated de novo assemblies of a B. brevicauda genome and submaxillary-gland transcriptome, as well as sequenced the salivary proteome. Here, we investigated with comprehensive molecular approaches whether B. brevicauda venom is more complex than previously understood. Despite their complex diet, earlier proteomic and transcriptomic studies of this shrew’s venom have only identified two venom proteins. Blarina brevicauda, the northern short-tailed shrew, is one of few venomous mammals, and is also known to eat evolutionarily divergent prey. Animals that use venom to feed on a wide diversity of prey may evolve a complex mixture of toxins to target a variety of physiological processes and prey-defense mechanisms.
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