Institute of Molecular Genetics, Italian National Research Council (CNR), Via Abbiategrasso 207, I-27100 Pavia, Italy.
Department of Biology & Biotechnology, University of Pavia, Via Ferrata 9, I-27100 Pavia, Italy.
Molecules. 2022 Jul 12;27(14):4458. doi: 10.3390/molecules27144458.
Light-based phenomena in insects have long attracted researchers' attention. Surface color distribution patterns are commonly used for taxonomical purposes, while optically-active structures from Coleoptera cuticle or Lepidoptera wings have inspired technological applications, such as biosensors and energy accumulation devices. In Diptera, besides optically-based phenomena, biomolecules able to fluoresce can act as markers of bio-metabolic, structural and behavioral features. Resilin or chitinous compounds, with their respective blue or green-to-red autofluorescence (AF), are commonly related to biomechanical and structural properties, helpful to clarify the mechanisms underlying substrate adhesion of ectoparasites' leg appendages, or the antennal abilities in tuning sound detection. Metarhodopsin, a red fluorescing photoproduct of rhodopsin, allows to investigate visual mechanisms, whereas NAD(P)H and flavins, commonly relatable to energy metabolism, favor the investigation of sperm vitality. Lipofuscins are AF biomarkers of aging, as well as pteridines, which, similarly to kynurenines, are also exploited in metabolic investigations. Beside the knowledge available in , a widely used model to study also human disorder and disease mechanisms, here we review optically-based studies in other dipteran species, including mosquitoes and fruit flies, discussing future perspectives for targeted studies with various practical applications, including pest and vector control.
昆虫中的基于光的现象长期以来一直吸引着研究人员的注意。表面颜色分布模式常用于分类学目的，而鞘翅目昆虫的表皮或鳞翅目昆虫翅膀中的光学活性结构则激发了技术应用，如生物传感器和能量积累装置。在双翅目昆虫中，除了基于光学的现象外，能够荧光的生物分子可以作为生物代谢、结构和行为特征的标志物。弹性蛋白或几丁质化合物具有各自的蓝色或绿到红的自发荧光（AF），通常与生物力学和结构特性有关，有助于阐明外寄生虫腿附属物的基质附着或触角在调节声音检测方面的机制。视黄醛的红色荧光光产物视紫红质允许研究视觉机制，而 NAD（P）H 和黄素通常与能量代谢有关，有利于研究精子活力。脂褐素是衰老的 AF 生物标志物，而蝶呤与犬尿氨酸一样，也被用于代谢研究。除了在 中可用的知识外， 还是研究人类疾病和疾病机制的广泛使用模型，在这里我们回顾了其他双翅目物种（包括蚊子和果蝇）中的基于光学的研究，讨论了具有各种实际应用的目标研究的未来前景，包括害虫和病媒控制。
