Conus consors snail venom proteomics proposes functions, pathways, and novel families involved in its venomic system

For some decades, cone snail venoms have been providing peptides, generally termed conopeptides, that exhibit a large diversity of pharmacological properties. However, little attention has been devoted to the high molecular mass (HMM) proteins in venoms of mollusks. In order to shed more light on cone snail venom HMM components, the proteins of dissected and injected venom of a fish-hunting cone snail, Conus consors, were extensively assessed. HMM venom proteins were separated by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and analyzed by mass spectrometry (MS). The MS data were interpreted using UniProt database, EST libraries from C. consors venom duct and salivary gland, and their genomic information. Numerous protein families were discovered in the lumen of the venom duct and assigned a biological function, thus pointing to their potential role in venom production and maturation. Interestingly, the study also revealed original proteins defining new families of unknown function. Only two groups of HMM proteins passing the venom selection process, echotoxins and hyaluronidases, were clearly present in the injected venom. They are suggested to contribute to the envenomation process. This newly devised integrated HMM proteomic analysis is a big step toward identification of the protein arsenal used in a cone snail venom apparatus for venom production, maturation, and function.