Venom mRNA expression profiles during venom re-synthesis.

<p>Relative expression profiles of six venom transcripts (snake venom metalloproteinase, serine protease, C-type lectin, Kunitz inhibitors, protein disulphide isomerase and QKW inhibitory peptide) across the time course of venom re-synthesis were determined by relative quantitative PCR (qPCR). The average fold changes in % venom protein gene expression for A) 3 Ghanaian <i>B. arietans</i> specimens and B) 5 Nigerian <i>B. arietans</i> specimens was normalised against three references genes (β actin, glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and heat shock protein) and indicate that the expression of venom protein genes peaks on day 0–3 to 0–7 (Red = day 0–1, orange = day 0–3, blue = day 0–7, green = mature venom).