A lateral flow immunoassay-based survey reveals a low-frequency truncated Solenopsis invicta venom 2-like protein and unique Solenopsis invicta venom 2 protein genotypes in Solenopsis invicta

The purpose of this research was to examine the Solenopsis invicta venom 2 protein and transcript among Solenopsis invicta fire ants exhibiting an unusual response to antibody interrogation of this protein. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses combined with Western blotting and lateral flow immunoassa...

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Main Authors: Steven M. Valles, Robert K. Vander Meer, Alden S. Estep
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-04-01
Series:Frontiers in Insect Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2025.1527130/full
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author Steven M. Valles
Robert K. Vander Meer
Alden S. Estep
author_facet Steven M. Valles
Robert K. Vander Meer
Alden S. Estep
author_sort Steven M. Valles
collection DOAJ
description The purpose of this research was to examine the Solenopsis invicta venom 2 protein and transcript among Solenopsis invicta fire ants exhibiting an unusual response to antibody interrogation of this protein. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses combined with Western blotting and lateral flow immunoassay were employed to examine the venom proteins from these fire ants. Genotypic variation was discovered in the Solenopsis invicta venom 2 gene. Many of these unique genotypes exhibited strong identity to the Solenopsis richteri venom 2 ortholog from the congener, Solenopsis richteri. Phylogenetic analysis of these sequences revealed a significant evolutionary relationship with Solenopsis richteri despite being obtained from Solenopsis invicta. A unique, truncated, Solenopsis invicta venom 2-like protein was also discovered in these colonies originating from a unique locus on chromosome 10 where multiple duplication events have apparently copied this gene. These results suggest the possible presence of a cryptic species.
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publishDate 2025-04-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
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series Frontiers in Insect Science
spelling doaj-art-6ae8fd7d09e04e268504010bc696c11b2025-08-20T02:07:59ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Insect Science2673-86002025-04-01510.3389/finsc.2025.15271301527130A lateral flow immunoassay-based survey reveals a low-frequency truncated Solenopsis invicta venom 2-like protein and unique Solenopsis invicta venom 2 protein genotypes in Solenopsis invictaSteven M. VallesRobert K. Vander MeerAlden S. EstepThe purpose of this research was to examine the Solenopsis invicta venom 2 protein and transcript among Solenopsis invicta fire ants exhibiting an unusual response to antibody interrogation of this protein. Sequence and phylogenetic analyses combined with Western blotting and lateral flow immunoassay were employed to examine the venom proteins from these fire ants. Genotypic variation was discovered in the Solenopsis invicta venom 2 gene. Many of these unique genotypes exhibited strong identity to the Solenopsis richteri venom 2 ortholog from the congener, Solenopsis richteri. Phylogenetic analysis of these sequences revealed a significant evolutionary relationship with Solenopsis richteri despite being obtained from Solenopsis invicta. A unique, truncated, Solenopsis invicta venom 2-like protein was also discovered in these colonies originating from a unique locus on chromosome 10 where multiple duplication events have apparently copied this gene. These results suggest the possible presence of a cryptic species.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2025.1527130/fullSolenopsis invictaSolenopsis richterivenomalkaloidsFormicidae
spellingShingle Steven M. Valles
Robert K. Vander Meer
Alden S. Estep
A lateral flow immunoassay-based survey reveals a low-frequency truncated Solenopsis invicta venom 2-like protein and unique Solenopsis invicta venom 2 protein genotypes in Solenopsis invicta
Frontiers in Insect Science
Solenopsis invicta
Solenopsis richteri
venom
alkaloids
Formicidae
title A lateral flow immunoassay-based survey reveals a low-frequency truncated Solenopsis invicta venom 2-like protein and unique Solenopsis invicta venom 2 protein genotypes in Solenopsis invicta
title_full A lateral flow immunoassay-based survey reveals a low-frequency truncated Solenopsis invicta venom 2-like protein and unique Solenopsis invicta venom 2 protein genotypes in Solenopsis invicta
title_fullStr A lateral flow immunoassay-based survey reveals a low-frequency truncated Solenopsis invicta venom 2-like protein and unique Solenopsis invicta venom 2 protein genotypes in Solenopsis invicta
title_full_unstemmed A lateral flow immunoassay-based survey reveals a low-frequency truncated Solenopsis invicta venom 2-like protein and unique Solenopsis invicta venom 2 protein genotypes in Solenopsis invicta
title_short A lateral flow immunoassay-based survey reveals a low-frequency truncated Solenopsis invicta venom 2-like protein and unique Solenopsis invicta venom 2 protein genotypes in Solenopsis invicta
title_sort lateral flow immunoassay based survey reveals a low frequency truncated solenopsis invicta venom 2 like protein and unique solenopsis invicta venom 2 protein genotypes in solenopsis invicta
topic Solenopsis invicta
Solenopsis richteri
venom
alkaloids
Formicidae
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/finsc.2025.1527130/full
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