Ecdysteroids represent a large class of polyhydroxylated steroids which, due to their anabolic properties, are marketed as dietary supplements. Some ecdysteroids also act as important hormones in arthropods, where they regulate molting, development, and reproduction and many of these insects are miniature organisms that contain submicroliter levels of circulating biofluids. Analysis of ecdysteroids is further complicated by their very low abundance, large fluctuations during development, and difficult access to a pooled sample, which is important for quantitative measurements. In this work, we propose a new method that overcomes the described difficulties and allows validated quantification of four ecdysteroids in minimal amounts of biological material. After methanolic extraction, detectability of the ecdysteroids is increased 16- to 20-fold by conversion to their 14,15-anhydrooximes. These are further purified by pipette tip solid-phase extraction on a three-layer sorbent and subjected to HPLC-MS/MS analysis. Full validation was achieved using hemolymph from larvae of the firebug Pyrrhocoris apterus as a blank matrix and by the determination of ecdysteroids in a single Drosophila larva. The lower limit of quantifications for the four target ecdysteroids (20-hydroxyecdysone, ecdysone, makisterone A, and 2-deoxyecdysone) were 0.01; 0.1; 0.05; and 0.025 pg·ml-1 (20; 200; 100; 50 fmol ml-1), respectively, with very good accuracy, precision (expressed as relative standard deviation <15%) and recoveries (96%-119.9%). The application potential of the new method was demonstrated by quantification of ecdysteroids in various biological materials including human serum.
- Klíčová slova
- arthropods, dietary supplementation, ecdysteroid hormones, human body fluid, quantification, submilligram sample amount, ultratrace HPLC-MS analysis,
- MeSH
- ekdysteroidy * analýza krev chemie MeSH
- hemolymfa chemie metabolismus MeSH
- kapalinová chromatografie-hmotnostní spektrometrie MeSH
- larva MeSH
- tandemová hmotnostní spektrometrie * metody MeSH
- vysokoúčinná kapalinová chromatografie metody MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- validační studie MeSH
- Názvy látek
- ekdysteroidy * MeSH
Bees originally developed their stinging apparatus and venom against members of their own species from other hives or against predatory insects. Nevertheless, the biological and biochemical response of arthropods to bee venom is not well studied. Thus, in this study, the physiological responses of a model insect species (American cockroach, Periplaneta americana) to honeybee venom were investigated. Bee venom toxins elicited severe stress (LD50 = 1.063 uL venom) resulting in a significant increase in adipokinetic hormones (AKHs) in the cockroach central nervous system and haemolymph. Venom treatment induced a large destruction of muscle cell ultrastructure, especially myofibrils and sarcomeres. Interestingly, co-application of venom with cockroach Peram-CAH-II AKH eliminated this effect. Envenomation modulated the levels of carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins in the haemolymph and the activity of digestive amylases, lipases, and proteases in the midgut. Bee venom significantly reduced vitellogenin levels in females. Dopamine and glutathione (GSH and GSSG) insignificantly increased after venom treatment. However, dopamine levels significantly increased after Peram-CAH-II application and after co-application with bee venom, while GSH and GSSG levels immediately increased after co-application. The results suggest a general reaction of the cockroach body to bee venom and at least a partial involvement of AKHs.
- Klíčová slova
- American cockroach, adipokinetic hormone, dopamine, honey bee, melittin, metabolism, muscle ultrastructure, vitellogenin,
- MeSH
- centrální nervový systém chemie účinky léků MeSH
- hemolymfa chemie účinky léků MeSH
- hmyzí hormony farmakologie MeSH
- kyselina pyrrolidonkarboxylová analogy a deriváty farmakologie MeSH
- oligopeptidy farmakologie MeSH
- Periplaneta chemie účinky léků imunologie MeSH
- přirozená imunita * MeSH
- včelí jedy škodlivé účinky MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Názvy látek
- adipokinetic hormone MeSH Prohlížeč
- hmyzí hormony MeSH
- kyselina pyrrolidonkarboxylová MeSH
- oligopeptidy MeSH
- včelí jedy MeSH
The problem of a growing resistance of bacteria and other microorganisms to conventional antibiotics gave rise to a search for new potent antimicrobial agents. Insect antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) seem to be promising novel potential anti-infective therapeutics. The dipeptide β-alanyl-tyrosine (β-Ala-Tyr) is one of the endogenous insect toxins exhibiting antibacterial activity against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. Prior to testing its other antimicrobial activities, it has to be prepared in a pure form. In this study, we have developed a capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) method for analysis of β-Ala-Tyr isolated from the extract of the hemolymph of larvae of the fleshfly Neobellieria bullata by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC). Based on our previously described correlation between CZE and free-flow zone electrophoresis (FFZE), analytical CZE separation of β-Ala-Tyr and its admixtures have been converted into preparative purification of β-Ala-Tyr by FFZE with preparative capacity of 45.5 mg per hour. The high purity degree of the β-Ala-Tyr obtained by FFZE fractionation was confirmed by its subsequent CZE analysis.
- Klíčová slova
- antimicrobial peptides, beta-alanyl-tyrosine, capillary zone electrophoresis, free-flow zone electrophoresis, peptide analysis, peptide purification,
- MeSH
- antiinfekční látky chemie izolace a purifikace MeSH
- dipeptidy chemie izolace a purifikace MeSH
- elektroforéza metody MeSH
- hemolymfa chemie MeSH
- larva chemie MeSH
- Sarcophagidae chemie MeSH
- vysokoúčinná kapalinová chromatografie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Názvy látek
- alanyltyrosine MeSH Prohlížeč
- antiinfekční látky MeSH
- dipeptidy MeSH
Juvenile hormones (JHs) are sesquiterpenoids synthesized by the corpora allata (CA). They play critical roles during insect development and reproduction. The first JH was described in 1934 as a "metamorphosis inhibitory hormone" in Rhodnius prolixus by Sir Vincent B. Wigglesworth. Remarkably, in spite of the importance of R. prolixus as vectors of Chagas disease and model organisms in insect physiology, the original JH that Wigglesworth described for the kissing-bug R. prolixus remained unidentified. We employed liquid chromatography mass spectrometry to search for the JH homologs present in the hemolymph of fourth instar nymphs of R. prolixus. Wigglesworth's original JH is the JH III skipped bisepoxide (JHSB3), a homolog identified in other heteropteran species. Changes in the titer of JHSB3 were studied during the 10-day long molting cycle of 4th instar nymph, between a blood meal and the ecdysis to 5th instar. In addition we measured the changes of mRNA levels in the CA for the 13 enzymes of the JH biosynthetic pathway during the molting cycle of 4th instar. Almost 90 years after the first descriptions of the role of JH in insects, this study finally reveals that the specific JH homolog responsible for Wigglesworth's original observations is JHSB3.
- MeSH
- biologická proměna * MeSH
- corpora allata chemie MeSH
- epoxidové sloučeniny chemie MeSH
- hemolymfa chemie MeSH
- kukla chemie fyziologie MeSH
- nymfa chemie fyziologie MeSH
- Rhodnius chemie fyziologie MeSH
- seskviterpeny chemie MeSH
- shazování tělního pokryvu fyziologie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural MeSH
- Názvy látek
- epoxidové sloučeniny MeSH
- juvenile hormone III MeSH Prohlížeč
- seskviterpeny MeSH
Drosophila imaginal disc growth factor 2 (IDGF2) is a member of chitinase-like protein family (CLPs) able to induce the proliferation of imaginal disc cells in vitro. In this study we characterized physiological concentrations and expression of IDGF2 in vivo as well as its impact on the viability and transcriptional profile of Drosophila cells in vitro. We show that IDGF2 is independent of insulin and protects cells from death caused by serum deprivation, toxicity of xenobiotics or high concentrations of extracellular adenosine (Ado) and deoxyadenosine (dAdo). Transcriptional profiling suggested that such cytoprotection is connected with the induction of genes involved in energy metabolism, detoxification and innate immunity. We also show that IDGF2 is an abundant haemolymph component, which is further induced by injury in larval stages. The highest IDGF2 accumulation was found at garland and pericardial nephrocytes supporting its role in organismal defence and detoxification. Our findings provide evidence that IDGF2 is an important trophic factor promoting cellular and organismal survival.
- MeSH
- Drosophila imunologie metabolismus MeSH
- energetický metabolismus * MeSH
- glykoproteiny metabolismus MeSH
- hemolymfa chemie MeSH
- kultivované buňky MeSH
- metabolická inaktivace * MeSH
- přirozená imunita * MeSH
- proteiny Drosophily metabolismus MeSH
- stanovení celkové genové exprese MeSH
- viabilita buněk účinky léků MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Názvy látek
- glykoproteiny MeSH
- Idgf2 protein, Drosophila MeSH Prohlížeč
- proteiny Drosophily MeSH
Juvenile hormone (JH) produced by the corpus allatum (CA) stimulates vitellogenesis and reduces the synthesis of hexamerin proteins in adult females of Pyrrhocoris apterus. At present it is unknown whether the signaling pathway involving the JH receptor gene Methoprene tolerant (Met) and its binding partner Taiman (Tai), regulates the synthesis of accessory gland proteins (ACPs) and hexamerin proteins or effects male survival. Knockdown of genes by injecting Met dsRNA or Tai dsRNA, reduced the amount of ACPs whilst enhancing the amount of hexamerin mRNA in the fat body and the release of hexamerin proteins into haemolymph, as occurs after the ablation of CA. Lifespan was enhanced by injecting Met but not Tai dsRNA. Diapause associated with the natural absence of JH had a stronger effect on all these parameters than the ablation of CA or the knockdown of genes. This indicates there is an additional regulating agent. Both Met and Tai dsRNA induced a several fold increase in JH (JH III skiped bisepoxide) but a concurrent loss of Met or Tai disabled its function. This supports the view that the Met/Tai complex functions as a JH receptor in the regulation of ACPs and hexamerins.
- Klíčová slova
- Accessory glands, Adult males, Corpus allatum, Fat body, Fertility, Haemolymph, Hexameric proteins, Juvenile hormone, Methoprene tolerant, RNA interference, Receptors, Survival, Taiman,
- MeSH
- corpora allata fyziologie chirurgie MeSH
- genový knockdown MeSH
- hemolymfa chemie MeSH
- Heteroptera genetika fyziologie MeSH
- juvenilní hormony krev genetika metabolismus MeSH
- RNA interference MeSH
- rozmnožování MeSH
- signální transdukce * MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Názvy látek
- juvenilní hormony MeSH
Adipokinetic hormones (Akhs) are small peptides (8-10 amino acid [aa] residues long) found in insects that regulate metabolic responses to stress by stimulating catabolic reactions and mobilizing energy stores. We employed Transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN) mutagenesis and isolated an Akh(1) mutant carrying a small deletion in the gene that resulted in a truncated peptide; the second aa (Leu) was missing from the functional octapeptide. This null Dmel/Akh mutant is suitable to study Akh function without any effect on the C-terminal associated peptide encoded by the same gene. The mutant flies were fully viable and compared to the control flies, had significantly low levels of hemolymph saccharides including trehalose and were resistant to starvation. These characteristics are similar to those obtained from the flies carrying targeted ablation of Akh-expressing neurons (reported earlier). We also found that the Akh(1) mutants are slightly heavy and had a slow metabolic rate. Furthermore, we showed that the ectopic expression of Dmel∖Akh reverses the Akh(1) phenotype and restores the wild-type characteristics. Our results confirmed that Akh is an important regulator of metabolic homeostasis in Drosophila.
- Klíčová slova
- Carbohydrate metabolism, Drome-Akh, NHEJ, Neuropeptide, Stress, Trehalose,
- MeSH
- Drosophila melanogaster genetika metabolismus MeSH
- energetický metabolismus MeSH
- hemolymfa chemie MeSH
- hmyzí hormony genetika metabolismus MeSH
- homeostáza MeSH
- kyselina pyrrolidonkarboxylová analogy a deriváty metabolismus MeSH
- molekulární sekvence - údaje MeSH
- mutageneze MeSH
- oligopeptidy genetika metabolismus MeSH
- potravinová deprivace MeSH
- sekvence aminokyselin MeSH
- sekvence nukleotidů MeSH
- tělesná hmotnost MeSH
- trehalosa metabolismus MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Názvy látek
- adipokinetic hormone MeSH Prohlížeč
- hmyzí hormony MeSH
- kyselina pyrrolidonkarboxylová MeSH
- oligopeptidy MeSH
- trehalosa MeSH
Injections of 38 pmol paraquat (1,1'-dimethyl-4,4'-bypyridilium) into adult Pyrrhocoris apterus (average body weight 29.6 mg in males and 36.9 mg in females) caused a significant elevation of lipid peroxidation and protein carbonylation and a decline of membrane fluidity in the microsomal brain fraction. Another manifestation of oxidative stress was a depletion of the reduced glutathione pool and reduction of the gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase activity in the brain extracts. The damaging action of paraquat on the brain was counteracted by simultaneous injection of 1 pmol 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E). 20E restrained lipid peroxidation and the formation of protein carbonyls, ameliorated changes in microsomal membrane fluidity, enhanced the level of reduced glutathione, and upregulated the activity of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase. At the organismic level, 20E curtailed three detrimental effects caused by paraquat injection: the disappearance of a blood protein, the suppression of fecundity and egg hatchability, and the shortening of adult life span. The data showed that 20E provided a systemic antioxidant protection but the significance of endogenous ecdysteroids in the management of oxidative stress remains to be shown.
- MeSH
- biologické markery MeSH
- ekdysteron metabolismus farmakologie MeSH
- gama-glutamyltransferasa metabolismus MeSH
- glutathion metabolismus MeSH
- hemolymfa chemie MeSH
- herbicidy farmakologie MeSH
- Heteroptera účinky léků metabolismus MeSH
- hmyzí proteiny analýza MeSH
- oxidační stres účinky léků MeSH
- paraquat farmakologie MeSH
- pohlavní dimorfismus MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Názvy látek
- biologické markery MeSH
- ekdysteron MeSH
- gama-glutamyltransferasa MeSH
- glutathion MeSH
- herbicidy MeSH
- hmyzí proteiny MeSH
- paraquat MeSH
The differences in the metabolism and endocrine control of reserve mobilization in long-winged (macropterous) and short-winged (brachypterous) males of a flightless firebug (Pyrrhocoris apterus) were studied. We found that protein content in the gut was significantly lower in 5-10 day-old macropterous males due to their fasting and higher in 28 day-old ones than in the same aged brachypterous counterparts as the result of renewed food intake. Overall protease activity was significantly lower in 10-14 day-old macropters, while an abrupt increase in the activity starting on day 21 after adult ecdysis was also associated with renewal of the food intake. The levels of carbohydrates in haemolymph were only slightly lower in 1-10 day-old macropterous males than in the same aged brachypters. However, more than twofold higher lipid content in haemolymph of 7-10 day-old macropterous males than in the same aged brachypterous males was found. Higher mobilization of lipid reserves from the fat bodies in macropterous males was accompanied by more intensive adipokinetic response and higher levels of adipokinetic hormone in the body. It is the first report of endocrine regulation of wing morph-related differences in the lipid mobilization in males of wing-polymorphic insects.
- MeSH
- centrální nervový systém chemie MeSH
- energetický metabolismus MeSH
- glykogen metabolismus MeSH
- hemolymfa chemie MeSH
- Heteroptera anatomie a histologie genetika metabolismus MeSH
- hmyzí hormony metabolismus MeSH
- křídla zvířecí abnormality anatomie a histologie MeSH
- kyselina pyrrolidonkarboxylová analogy a deriváty metabolismus MeSH
- metabolismus lipidů MeSH
- mobilizace lipidů fyziologie MeSH
- oligopeptidy metabolismus MeSH
- přijímání potravy MeSH
- proteasy metabolismus MeSH
- proteiny metabolismus MeSH
- střeva anatomie a histologie MeSH
- střevní sliznice metabolismus MeSH
- tukové těleso metabolismus MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Názvy látek
- adipokinetic hormone MeSH Prohlížeč
- glykogen MeSH
- hmyzí hormony MeSH
- kyselina pyrrolidonkarboxylová MeSH
- oligopeptidy MeSH
- proteasy MeSH
- proteiny MeSH
Few papers have been published on tick lectins so far, and therefore more data are needed to complete the mosaic of knowledge of their structural and functional properties. Tissue-specific lectin/haemagglutinin activities of both soft and hard ticks have been investigated. Some tick lectins are proteins with binding affinity for sialic acid, various derivatives of hexosamines and different glycoconjugates. Most tick lectin/haemagglutinin activities are blood meal enhanced, and could serve as molecular factors of self/non-self recognition in defence reactions against bacteria or fungi, as well as in pathogen/parasite transmission. Dorin M, the plasma lectin of Ornithodoros moubata, is the first tick lectin purified so far from tick haemolymph, and the first that has been fully characterized. Partial characterization of other tick lectins/haemagglutinins has been performed mainly with respect to their carbohydrate binding specificities and immunochemical features.
- MeSH
- členovci - vektory chemie fyziologie MeSH
- gastrointestinální trakt chemie fyziologie MeSH
- hemolymfa chemie fyziologie MeSH
- klíšťata chemie fyziologie MeSH
- lektiny chemie fyziologie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- slinné žlázy chemie fyziologie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
- Názvy látek
- lektiny MeSH
