Platypus venom genes expressed in non-venom tissues
Camilla M. Whittington A and Katherine Belov A BA Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
B Corresponding author. Email: kbelov@vetsci.usyd.edu.au
Australian Journal of Zoology 57(4) 199-202 https://doi.org/10.1071/ZO09046
Submitted: 8 April 2009 Accepted: 12 June 2009 Published: 26 October 2009
Abstract
The venom of the platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) has been poorly studied to date. The recent publication of the platypus genome heralds a new era for mammalian venom research and is a useful starting tool for functional studies of venom components. We report here the patterns of tissue expression of two venom genes, OvNGF and OvCNP, in order to provide some insight into the functions of the proteins they produce and to pave the way for further functional and pharmacological studies, which may lead to the development of novel therapeutic agents.
Acknowledgements
The authors wish to thank Erin Noonan, David Obendorf, Timothy Hore and the Tasmanian Department of Primary Industries and Water for providing tissue and RNA samples. This work was funded by a University of Sydney Research and Development Award to KB. CW is supported by an Australian Postgraduate Award and a Fulbright Postgraduate Scholarship.
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