Dept. Biological Sciences, Florida International University, Miami, FL 33199, USA.
Peptides. 2012 Mar;34(1):201-8. doi: 10.1016/j.peptides.2011.07.025. Epub 2011 Aug 3.
Allatotropin is an insect neuropeptide with pleiotropic actions on a variety of different tissues. In the present work we describe the identification, cloning and functional and molecular characterization of an Aedes aegypti allatotropin receptor (AeATr) and provide a detailed quantitative study of the expression of the AeATr gene in the adult mosquito. Analysis of the tissue distribution of AeATr mRNA in adult female revealed high transcript levels in the nervous system (brain, abdominal, thoracic and ventral ganglia), corpora allata-corpora cardiaca complex and ovary. The receptor is also expressed in heart, hindgut and male testis and accessory glands. Separation of the corpora allata (CA) and corpora cardiaca followed by analysis of gene expression in the isolated glands revealed expression of the AeATr primarily in the CA. In the female CA, the AeATr mRNA levels were low in the early pupae, started increasing 6h before adult eclosion and reached a maximum 24h after female emergence. Blood feeding resulted in a decrease in transcript levels. The pattern of changes of AeATr mRNA resembles the changes in JH biosynthesis. Fluorometric Imaging Plate Reader recordings of calcium transients in HEK293 cells expressing the AeATr showed a selective response to A. aegypti allatotropin stimulation in the low nanomolar concentration range. Our studies suggest that the AeATr play a role in the regulation of JH synthesis in mosquitoes.
阿莱托菌素是一种昆虫神经肽,对多种不同组织具有多种作用。在本工作中,我们描述了埃及伊蚊阿莱托菌素受体(AeATr)的鉴定、克隆以及功能和分子特征,并对成蚊中 AeATr 基因的表达进行了详细的定量研究。分析成年雌性蚊子中 AeATr mRNA 的组织分布,发现其在神经系统(脑、腹部、胸部和腹神经节)、咽侧体-心侧体复合体和卵巢中具有高转录水平。该受体还在心脏、后肠和雄性睾丸和附腺中表达。分离咽侧体(CA)和心侧体后,分析分离的腺体中的基因表达,发现 AeATr 主要在 CA 中表达。在雌性 CA 中,AeATr mRNA 水平在早期蛹中较低,在成虫羽化前 6 小时开始增加,并在雌性出现后 24 小时达到最大值。吸血导致转录水平下降。AeATr mRNA 的变化模式与 JH 生物合成的变化相似。在表达 AeATr 的 HEK293 细胞中进行钙瞬变荧光成像板读数记录显示,对 A. aegypti 阿莱托菌素的刺激在低纳摩尔浓度范围内具有选择性反应。我们的研究表明,AeATr 在蚊子中 JH 合成的调节中发挥作用。