VenomFlow

VenomFlow identifies and characterizes disulfide-rich, cysteine-rich peptide toxins from raw RNAseq reads of venom glands to enable study of venom components that manipulate molecular targets such as ion channels and receptors.

Key Features:

• Automated pipeline: Automates identification and characterization of disulfide-rich peptides from sequencing data.
• De novo identification: Enables de novo discovery of previously uncharacterized cysteine-rich peptides directly from raw RNAseq reads.
• Integration of transcriptomic, proteomic and bioinformatic methods: Leverages transcriptomic analysis, proteomic methods, and bioinformatic techniques to detect and characterize venom peptides.
• Versatility: Applicable to venomous terebrid snails and adaptable to identify secreted disulfide-rich peptide toxins from other venomous organisms.

Scientific Applications:

• Toxinology: Identification and characterization of venom arsenals and cysteine-rich peptide toxins that target ion channels and receptors.
• Pharmacology and drug discovery: Discovery of bioactive peptides as potential therapeutic agents and leads for drug development.

Methodology:

Processes raw RNAseq reads from venom glands using transcriptomic and bioinformatic analyses and integrates proteomic methods to identify and characterize cysteine-rich, disulfide-rich peptides.