The primary aim of this study was to analyse the influence of honeybee venom on various aspects of Drosophila melanogaster physiology and to assess the efficacy of adipokinetic hormone (AKH) in mitigating venom toxicity. We examined the harmful effects of venom on the thoracic muscles and central nervous system of Drosophila, as well as the potential use of AKH to counteract these effects. The results demonstrated that envenomation altered AKH levels in the Drosophila CNS, promoted cell metabolism, as evidenced by an increase in citrate synthase activity in muscles, and improved relative cell viability in both organs incubated in vitro. Furthermore, venom treatment reduced the activity of two key antioxidative stress enzymes, superoxide dismutase and catalase, and modified the expression of six genes encoding immune system components (Keap1, Relish, Nox, Eiger, Gadd45, and Domeless) in both organs. The venom also disrupted muscle cell ultrastructure, specifically myofibrils, and increased the release of arginine kinase into the incubation medium. Notably, when administered alongside the venom, AKH influenced the majority of these changes. AKH was the most effective in minimising damage to the ultrastructure of muscle cells and preventing the release of arginine kinase from muscles to the medium; however, in other parameters, the effect was modest or minimal. Given that honeybee venom often affects humans, understanding its actions and potential ways to reduce or eliminate them is valuable and could lead to the development of pharmacologically important compounds that may have clinical relevance.

• Klíčová slova
• Adipokinetic hormone, Arginine kinase, Bee venom, Drosophila model, Immune responsible genes, Muscle structure,
• MeSH
• centrální nervový systém účinky léků   metabolismus   MeSH
• Drosophila melanogaster účinky léků   metabolismus   MeSH
• hmyzí hormony * farmakologie   metabolismus   MeSH
• kyselina pyrrolidonkarboxylová * analogy a deriváty   farmakologie   metabolismus   MeSH
• oligopeptidy * farmakologie   metabolismus   MeSH
• včelí jedy * toxicita   antagonisté a inhibitory   MeSH
• včely MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• Názvy látek
• adipokinetic hormone MeSH Prohlížeč
• hmyzí hormony * MeSH
• kyselina pyrrolidonkarboxylová * MeSH
• oligopeptidy * MeSH
• včelí jedy * MeSH

Insect adipokinetic hormones (AKHs) are neuropeptides with a wide range of actions, including the control of insect energy metabolism. These hormones are also known to be involved in the insect defence system against toxins and pathogens. In this study, our aim was to demonstrate whether the application of external AKHs significantly enhances the efficacy of the entomopathogenic fungus Isaria fumosorosea in a model species (firebug Pyrrhocoris apterus) and pest species (Egyptian cotton leafworm Spodoptera littoralis and pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum). It was found that the co-application of Isaria with AKHs significantly enhanced insect mortality in comparison to the application of Isaria alone. The mode of action probably involves an increase in metabolism that is caused by AKHs (evidenced by the production of carbon dioxide), which accelerates the turnover of Isaria toxins produced into the infected insects. However, several species-specific differences probably exist. Intoxication by Isaria elicited the stimulation of Akh gene expression and synthesis of AKHs. Therefore, all interactions between Isaria and AKH actions as well as their impact on insect physiology from a theoretical and practical point of view need to be discussed further.

• Klíčová slova
• AKH, carbon dioxide production, entomopathogen, insect pest, metabolism, mortality,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Insects, like other organisms, must deal with a wide variety of potentially challenging environmental factors during the course of their life. An important example of such a challenge is the phenomenon of oxidative stress. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the role of adipokinetic hormones (AKH) as principal stress responsive hormones in insects involved in activation of anti-oxidative stress response pathways. Emphasis is placed on an analysis of oxidative stress experimentally induced by various stressors and monitored by suitable biomarkers, and on detailed characterization of AKH's role in the anti-stress reactions. These reactions are characterized by a significant increase of AKH levels in the insect body, and by effective reversal of the markers-disturbed by the stressors-after co-application of the stressor with AKH. A plausible mechanism of AKH action in the anti-oxidative stress response is discussed as well: this probably involves simultaneous employment of both protein kinase C and cyclic adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate pathways in the presence of extra and intra-cellular Ca(2+) stores, with the possible involvement of the FoxO transcription factors. The role of other insect hormones in the anti-oxidative defense reactions is also discussed.

• Klíčová slova
• AKH gene, FoxO, adipokinetic hormones (AKH), anti-oxidative mechanisms, free radicals, insect endocrine system, insecticide, oxidative stress, signaling pathway,
• MeSH
• hmyz metabolismus   MeSH
• hmyzí hormony metabolismus   MeSH
• kyselina pyrrolidonkarboxylová analogy a deriváty   metabolismus   MeSH
• oligopeptidy metabolismus   MeSH
• oxidační stres * MeSH
• signální transdukce MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• přehledy MeSH
• Názvy látek
• adipokinetic hormone MeSH Prohlížeč
• hmyzí hormony MeSH
• kyselina pyrrolidonkarboxylová MeSH
• oligopeptidy MeSH