Figure 1

The venom-gland transcriptome of Boiga irregularis showed high expression and diversity of three-finger toxins. (A) Toxins were overrepresented in the high-abundance transcripts; the 28 most-abundant transcripts encoded toxins. (B) Total toxin-gene expression was high and commensurate with values from previously characterized viperids and elapids. (C) The toxin transcription consisted primarily of a diverse set of three-finger toxins and a handful of snake venom metalloproteinases. Toxins detected proteomically are indicated with asterisks. Abbreviations: 3FTx–three-finger toxin, AChE–acetylcholinesterase, CF–coagulation factor, CTL–C-type lectin, CRISP–cysteine-rich secretory protein, HYAL–hyaluronidase, KUN-Kunitz-type protease inhibitor, NP–natriuretic peptide, PDE–phosphodiesterase, PLA ₂–Type II Phospholipase A, SVMP–snake venom metalloproteinase, VEGF–vascular endothelial growth factor, VF–venom factor.