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Protein Toxins in Modeling Biochemistry pp 113–134Cite as

Evolution of Toxin

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Part of the book series: SpringerBriefs in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology ((BRIEFSBIOCHEM))

Abstract

It is very intriguing how toxins in certain organisms have evolved. There must have been a drawn out period where evolution ‘tested’ and ‘fine-tuned’ the toxin. To trace back we need to study both animal and bacterial toxins. Animal toxins are very diverse, which makes them important candidates for evolutionary innovation. On the other hand, bacterial toxins always target critical molecules. Toxins typically go after molecules that are either scarce or those involve in signal transductions. Both classes of toxin offer a unique model to study predator-prey relationship, co-evolution, lateral gene transfer, natural selection, and the influence of structure on molecular evolution. Adaptation and counter-adaptation due to evolutionary arms race results in complex traits. Each toxin or poison probably has its own evolutionary “arms race”. To be a strong player in evolutionary “arms race” toxins need structural plasticity. The existence of structural plasticity allows them to evolve as highly specific toxins for their respective targets. Protein toxins are either multi-domain or complex protein, and their larger surface area and subunit flexibility provide structural flexibility needed to survive, adapt and evolve. Several mechanisms and models have been suggested to explain this phenomenon. Point mutations, gene duplication, lateral gene transfer, recombination, and post-translation modification of genes lead to a wide variety of proteins and peptides. Study of these phenomena, relationships and proposed mechanisms can establish evolutionary link of protein toxins to their progenitors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Botulinum Research Centre, Institute of Advanced Sciences, 86-410B Faunce Corner Mall Road, Dartmouth, MA, 02747, USA

    Raj Kumar Ph.D. & Bal Ram Singh Ph.D.

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  1. Raj Kumar Ph.D.
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  2. Bal Ram Singh Ph.D.
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Correspondence to Raj Kumar Ph.D. .

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Kumar, R., Singh, B.R. (2016). Evolution of Toxin. In: Protein Toxins in Modeling Biochemistry. SpringerBriefs in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-43540-4_5

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