Allatostatins (ASTs) are insect neuropeptides that were first identified as inhibitors of juvenile hormone biosynthesis by the corpora allata. There are three families of ASTs in insects, defined by their C-terminus conserved regions, one of which is FGLamide. Here we determine, for the first time in a hemipteran, the complete 1013 bp cDNA sequence encoding the Rhodnius prolixus FGLa/ASTs (Rhopr-FGLa/ASTs), and confirm the transcript size using northern blot. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that the Rhopr-FGLa/AST prepropeptide is most similar to the FGLa/AST precursors identified in Hymenoptera. Reverse-transcriptase PCR demonstrates that the Rhopr-FGLa/AST transcript is highly expressed in the central nervous system (CNS) in unfed fifth-instar R. prolixus, and is reduced in expression in CNS dissected from one day old blood-fed insects. Fluorescent in situ hybridization shows transcript expression in neurons in each ganglion of the CNS, but also in cells located on peripheral nerves. Rhopr-FGLa/ASTs dose-dependently inhibit contractions of the anterior midgut and hindgut, suggesting a role in feeding-related physiological events.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ibmb.2011.10.002 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Genome report: First whole genome sequence of Triatoma sanguisuga (Le Conte, 1855), vector of Chagas disease.
G3 (Bethesda)
December 2024
Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716, USA.
Article Synopsis
- Triatoma sanguisuga, the most common triatomine bug in the US, carries the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi, responsible for Chagas disease, although diagnoses are rare in the country.
- The study presented the first complete genome sequence of T. sanguisuga, obtained from a specimen in Delaware, revealing a genome size of 1.162 Gbp with high assembly quality, evidenced by a 99.1% BUSCO score.
- This genomic information can enhance understanding of triatomine bugs in colder climates and support public health initiatives for managing vector-borne diseases.
Embryonic piRNAs target horizontally transferred vertebrate transposons in assassin bugs.
Front Cell Dev Biol
November 2024
Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Article Synopsis
- - The study investigates the role of Piwi proteins and piRNAs in protecting the genome of
- Rhodnius prolixus
- , a hemipteran insect known to transmit Chagas disease, from DNA damage caused by horizontally transferred transposable elements (HTTs) acquired from its diet.
- - By using SmallRNA-Seq and RNA-Seq techniques, researchers quantified piRNA features and gene expression levels, revealing that piRNA production peaks during embryogenesis, correlating with reduced expression of HTTs and resident transposable elements.
- - The findings highlight that while resident transposable element piRNAs engage in a typical ping-pong amplification mechanism, the response to HTTs is different, suggesting unique biogenesis and functional pathways for pi
Revisiting the development of Trypanosoma rangeli in the vertebrate host.
Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz
November 2024
Fundação Oswaldo Cruz-Fiocruz, Instituto René Rachou, Grupo de Comportamento de Vetores e Interação com Patógenos, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brasil.
Background: Trypanosoma rangeli is a haemoflagellate parasite that infects triatomine bugs and mammals in South and Central America. Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease, has a partially overlapping geographical distribution with T. rangeli, that leads to mixed human infections and cross-reactivity in immunodiagnosis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLipophorin receptor knockdown reduces hatchability of kissing bug Rhodnius prolixus eggs.
Insect Biochem Mol Biol
January 2025
Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biociências, Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Instituto Nacional de Ciência e Tecnologia em Entomologia Molecular, Brazil; Faculdade de Farmácia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Electronic address:
Lipophorin is the primary lipoprotein present in the hemolymph of insects, responsible for the lipids' transport between organs. It interacts with specific sites on cell membranes in an essential process for transferring lipids. The lipophorin receptor is the protein responsible for the interaction between lipophorin and cell membranes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFControlling a kisser: fermented products and commercial insects' lures as attractants of kissing bugs.
Bull Entomol Res
November 2024
El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Unidad Tapachula, Carretera Antiguo Aeropuerto Km. 2.5, Centro, Tapachula, Chiapas, 30700, México.
Article Synopsis
- Triatomines are blood-sucking insects that spread Chagas disease, so trapping them is essential for reducing human contact and controlling the disease.
- The study tested the attraction of different triatomine species to volatiles from fermented products and commercial lures using double-choice bioassays.
- The results showed that volatiles from lactic fermentation and some fermented fruits effectively attracted triatomines, indicating their potential for disease control, while some products seemed to repel the insects.
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!