RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Genomic and transcriptomic insights into the regulation of snake venom production JF bioRxiv FD Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory SP 008474 DO 10.1101/008474 A1 Adam D. Hargreaves A1 Martin T. Swain A1 Matthew J. Hegarty A1 Darren W. Logan A1 John F. Mulley YR 2014 UL http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2014/08/27/008474.abstract AB The gene regulatory mechanisms underlying the rapid replenishment of snake venom following expenditure are currently unknown. Using a comparative transcriptomic approach we find that venomous and non-venomous species produce similar numbers of secreted products in their venom or salivary glands and that only one transcription factor (Tbx3) is expressed in venom glands but not salivary glands. We also find evidence for temporal variation in venom production. We have generated a draft genome sequence for the painted saw-scaled viper, Echis coloratus, and identified conserved transcription factor binding sites in the upstream regions of venom genes. We find binding sites to be conserved across members of the same gene family, but not between gene families, indicating that multiple gene regulatory networks are involved in venom production. Finally, we suggest that negative regulation may be important for rapid activation of the venom replenishment cycle.