Cation-π interactions arise as a result of strong attractive forces between positively charged
entities and the π-electron cloud of aromatic groups. The physicochemical characteristics of …

The analysis of the phylogenetic structure of communities can help reveal contemporary
ecological interactions, as well as link community ecology with biogeography and the study …

Many pufferfish of the family Tetraodontidae possess a potent neurotoxin, tetrodotoxin (TTX).
In marine pufferfish species, toxicity is generally high in the liver and ovary, whereas in …

The extent of convergent molecular evolution is largely unknown, yet is critical to
understanding the genetics of adaptation. Target site insensitivity to cardenolides is a prime …

An integrative view of diversity and singularity in the living world requires a better
understanding of the intricate link between genotypes and phenotypes. Here we re …

An emerging synthesis of evolutionary biology and experimental molecular biology is
providing much stronger and deeper inferences about the dynamics and mechanisms of …

Convergence is the phenomenon whereby similar phenotypes evolve independently in
different lineages. One example is resistance to toxins in animals. Toxins have evolved …

Amphibians are a clade of over 8,400 species that provide unique research opportunities
and challenges. With amphibians undergoing severe global declines, we posit that …

Tetrodotoxin (TTX) is a potent toxin that specifically binds to voltage gated sodium channels.
TTX binding physically blocks the flow of sodium ions through the channel, thereby …

Rough-skinned newts (Taricha granulosa) use tetrodotoxin (TTX) to block voltage-gated
sodium (Nav) channels as a chemical defense against predation. Interestingly, newts exhibit …