# Towards the Exploration and Evolution of Insulin-like Venoms in Actiniaria (Sea anemones)

## TL;DR

This study explores the evolution of insulin-like venoms in sea anemones, revealing new insights into their genetic diversity and evolutionary history.

## Contribution

The paper identifies and characterizes two insulin-derived venom families in sea anemones and their evolutionary patterns.

## Key findings

- Two venom families with insulin PFAM annotations were identified in 34 sea anemone species.
- Both families show evidence of duplication events and distinct evolutionary clades.
- VP302-related sequences are part of a multidomain venom contig in cuticulate sea anemones.

## Abstract

Recent studies have elucidated the diversity of genes encoding venom in Sea anemones. However, most of those genes are yet to be explored in an evolutionary context. Insulin is a common peptide across metazoans and has been coopted into a predatory venom in many venomous lineages. In this study, we focus on the diversity of insulin-derived venoms in Sea anemones and on elucidating their evolutionary history. We sourced data for 34 species of Sea anemones and found sequences belonging to two venom families which have Insulin PFAM annotations. Our findings show that both families have undergone duplication events. Members of each of the independently evolving clades have consistent predicted protein structures and distinct dN/dS values. Our work also shows that sequences allied with VP302 are part of a multidomain venom contig and have experienced a secondary gain into the venom system of cuticulate Sea anemones.