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Veterinary Therapeutic Protein and Peptide Integrated Venomics Platform
Evolution has given rise to diverse venom functions in various invertebrates and vertebrates, such as snakes, enriching the biodiversity and potency of venoms. These venoms are considered vast natural repositories of bioactive molecules. Invertebrate venoms primarily consist of a wide array of peptides, while snake venoms include proteins across multiple structural categories. BioVenic has developed an integrated venomics platform for the discovery of veterinary therapeutic proteins and peptides, leveraging genomics and proteomics technologies to address current challenges.
Integrated Venomics Platform Overview
The term "venomics" was coined to describe the study of venom proteins and peptides using omics technologies. Over the past 20 years, venomics has advanced significantly. Venomics has emerged by the use of proteomics to study venom composition. It can also refer to broader omics (proteome, genome, transcriptome, metabolome). For a long time, the venom composition of many arachnid species remained largely undefined due to the limitations of traditional biochemical methods, which struggled to analyze the small quantities of venom typically extracted from spiders and scorpions. However, advancements in omics technologies—genomics, transcriptomics, and proteomics - have enabled high-throughput characterization of venom composition and the discovery of new peptides and proteins through a "structure-to-function" approach. BioVenic offers comprehensive venomics services to identify novel therapeutic proteins and peptides derived from venom, including proteomics, transcriptomics, genomics, and integrated analysis.
Fig.1 The integration of proteomics, transcriptomics, and genomics in venom research. (BioVenic Original)
Proteomics Service
BioVenic offers services for the purification of crude venoms, utilizing liquid chromatography and gel electrophoresis. We employ a range of advanced purification techniques to isolate and purify key components in the venom. BioVenic utilizes cutting-edge mass spectrometry technology, focusing on providing de novo sequencing services for animal venoms, which are predominantly proteinaceous. Our technical capabilities are not limited to conventional sample volumes; even with extremely small amounts of venom, our professional team achieves accurate and in-depth analysis objectives. This ability is crucial for studying small organisms that produce only limited amounts of venom, enabling us to explore and utilize the bioactive molecules in these precious samples.
- Bottom-Up Approach
Suitable for sequencing larger peptides greater than 3.5 kDa. Fragment interpretation is relatively easy, but some peptides may be lost during the purification process, leading to incomplete sequences, especially for new peptides.
- Top-Down Approach
The entire peptide is directly fragmented in the gas phase, without the need for trypsin digestion. BioVenic provides top-down sequencing using FT-ICR MS combined with electron capture dissociation (ECD) or electron transfer dissociation (ETD) coupled with IT-MS, as well as in-source decay (ISD) combined with MALDI-TOF MS. Due to the generation of a large number of multiply charged ions, top-down spectra are usually more complex. Our professionals have extensive experience and provide complete and reliable analytical results.
Fig.2 Venomic workflow: The general procedures for top-down and bottom-up venomics. 1,2
Transcriptomics Service
BioVenic offers comprehensive transcriptomic analysis services for venom-producing tissues, identifying and quantifying all RNA molecules expressed in venom tissues at specific time points, including both mRNA and non-coding RNA. For animals with small venom systems, we employ a method of pooling multiple specimens for RNA-seq to ensure sufficient tissue material is obtained for high-quality transcriptomic analysis.
- Next-Generation Sequencing
BioVenic provides next-generation sequencing services, utilizing advanced second-generation sequencing technology, we simultaneously analyze mRNA, lncRNA, circRNA, and miRNA within the same sample. This approach aids in a more systematic understanding of the transcriptional regulatory mechanisms in venom.
Fig.3 Next-Generation Sequencing process. (BioVenic Original)
Genomics Service
BioVenic provides genome data to support the discovery of veterinary therapeutic proteins and peptides derived from venom. This genomic information serves as a crucial reference for evaluating the accuracy of transcripts and gene models obtained through genome-guided transcriptome assembly approaches. For the discovery of these therapeutic proteins and peptides, high-quality genomic data with precise gene annotations are essential. Such quality is achieved by mapping multiple tissue samples to the genome and enhancing transcript-based gene predictions with corresponding proteome data.
Integrated Analysis Service
BioVenic offers integrated analysis services, combining transcriptomic data with proteomic data to identify proteins and peptides that are highly expressed at the transcriptional level and present in the venom. Utilizing bioinformatics tools and algorithms, our professionals conduct an in-depth analysis of the integrated data, including searching for specific sequence patterns, functional domains, or known bioactive markers to identify peptides with therapeutic potential.
| Description | |
|---|---|
| Bioactive Marker Identification | We identify known bioactive markers to screen for peptides with therapeutic potential. |
| Functional Prediction | Through these analyses, we predict the biological functions of specific peptide sequences, providing direction for subsequent experimental validation and drug development. |
| Optimization Recommendations | We also offer recommendations for optimizing peptide sequences, such as through point mutations, cyclization, and other methods to improve their biological properties, thereby enhancing therapeutic efficacy and safety. |
Why Choose Us?
Provides comprehensive analysis from genes to proteins, ensuring an in-depth understanding of venom composition and facilitating the discovery of new molecules with biological activity and therapeutic potential.
Rapidly identifies and validates potential therapeutic peptides and proteins through a combination of advanced bioinformatics tools and high-throughput sequencing technologies.
Whether it is species-specific venom analysis or screening for specific types of bioactive molecules, the platform provides flexible solutions to meet the needs of different researchers.
The biology and ecology of venomous species have driven the diversity of venoms, composed of highly specific toxin components that have evolved adaptively over time. BioVenic has established an integrated venomics platform, utilizing modern omics approaches to study venom and toxin genes, providing robust support for the discovery and functional research of veterinary therapeutic proteins and peptides derived from venom components. If you are considering utilizing integrated venomics for veterinary therapeutic protein and peptide discovery, please contact us.
References
- Marchi, Filipi Calbaizer, et al. "Toxinology in the proteomics era: a review on arachnid venom proteomics." Journal of Venomous Animals and Toxins including Tropical Diseases 28 (2022): 20210034.
- Image retrieved from Figure 2 "Venomic workflow. General workflows for top-down and bottom-up venomics are presented". Marchi, Filipi Calbaizer, et al., 2022, used under CC BY 4.0, the title was changed to " Venomic workflow: The general procedures for top-down and bottom-up venomics".