Part:BBa_K5184042
PpVP1-S
In our project we employ venom peptides to act as insecticidal agents against T. urticae a global ubiquitous pest. This part presents a mite venom peptide with higher specificity and potency against the spider mite comparing to spider venom peptides. This mite venom peptide may also aid future iGEM teams in identifying homologous venom peptide genes in the acari family that is, right now, currently almost completely unexplored.
Abstract PpVP1S is the modified version of the venom peptide identified in the genome of the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis. Via phylogenic analysis, we believe it achieves its paralyzing and insecticidal properties by interfering with voltage gated calcium channels whose affinity towards is illustrated by computer modelling.
Usage and Biology
Biology
PpVP1S is the truncated version of the PpVP1F, composing of a total of 45 amino acids. It contains 8 cysteine residues to form 4 disulfide bridges that gives the peptide a unique geometry that allows it to achieve its toxicity. Comparing to the full-length PpVP1F all regions except from the core venomous domain had been truncated with matched core venom domain of known venom peptides as guidance, to enhance expression rate and solubility. It has the same set of cysteine network of C1xxxC2xxxC3C4xxxC5xC6xxxC7xC8, with disulfide bridges between C1C4, C2C5, C3C8, and C6C7, comparing to NbVP1 and therefore shares an almost congruent geometry, differing by only 3 amino acids.
This venom peptide achieves its effects by interfering with voltage gated calcium channels and presumably nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (as proposed by [2]), and therefore blocks relay of neural impulse across synapses.
The G1M5 tag is a secretion tag utilizing the Sec pathway, a common extracellular secretion system seen across all domains of life; it is fused with the venom peptide to allow extracellular secretion of the peptide, thus decreasing its production costs.
Features
Non-toxic to humans/mammals: Due to the venom peptide’s high specificity and the structural differences of its binding site in insect and mammal ion channels It shows higher toxicity against T. urticae, the two spotted spider mite that is a global pest against a huge range of host plants.
Sequence and Features
- 10COMPATIBLE WITH RFC[10]
- 12COMPATIBLE WITH RFC[12]
- 21COMPATIBLE WITH RFC[21]
- 23COMPATIBLE WITH RFC[23]
- 25COMPATIBLE WITH RFC[25]
- 1000COMPATIBLE WITH RFC[1000]
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