Linked Life Data

20154182

Source:http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/id/20154182

Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
5
pubmed:dateCreated
2010-2-15
pubmed:abstractText
Cone snails use an extensile, tubular proboscis as a conduit to deliver a potent cocktail of bioactive venom peptides into their prey. Previous studies have focused mainly on understanding the venom's role in prey capture but successful prey capture requires both rapid physiological and biomechanical mechanisms. Conus catus, a fish-hunting species, uses a high-speed hydraulic mechanism to inject its hollow, spear-like radular tooth into prey. We take an integrated approach to investigating the biomechanics of this process by coupling kinematic studies with morphological analyses. Taking advantage of the opaque venom and translucent proboscis of a mollusc-hunting juvenile cone snail, Conus pennaceus, we have determined that a high-speed prey capture mechanism is not unique to cone species that hunt fish prey. Two morphological structures were found to play crucial roles in this process. A constriction of the lumen near the tip of the proboscis, composed of tall epithelial cells densely packed with microfilaments, impedes forward movement of the radular tooth prior to its propulsion. Proximal to the constriction, a muscular sphincter was found to regulate venom flow and pressurization in the proboscis. In C. pennaceus, the rapid appearance and flushing of venom within the proboscis during prey capture suggests a mechanism involving the delivery of a discrete quantity of venom. The interplay between these elements provides a unique and effective biomechanical injection system for the fast-acting cone snail venom peptides.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Mar
pubmed:issn
1477-9145
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Electronic
pubmed:day
1
pubmed:volume
213
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
673-82
pubmed:dateRevised
2010-5-19
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2010
pubmed:articleTitle
Venom kinematics during prey capture in Conus: the biomechanics of a rapid injection system.
pubmed:affiliation
Occidental College, Los Angeles, CA 90041-3314, USA.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't