Bibliographic Details
| Title: |
Effects of alloferon and its analogues on reproduction and development of the Tenebrio molitor beetle. |
| Authors: |
Walkowiak-Nowicka, Karolina1 (AUTHOR) karolina.walkowiak@amu.edu.pl, Chowański, Szymon1 (AUTHOR), Pacholska-Bogalska, Joanna1 (AUTHOR), Adamski, Zbigniew1,2 (AUTHOR), Kuczer, Mariola3 (AUTHOR), Rosiński, Grzegorz1 (AUTHOR) |
| Source: |
Scientific Reports. 7/24/2024, Vol. 14 Issue 1, p1-11. 11p. |
| Subject Terms: |
*TENEBRIO molitor, *INSECT physiology, *BEETLES, *UNSATURATED fatty acids, *PEPTIDES, *REPRODUCTION, *PEPTIDE synthesis |
| Abstract: |
As the most numerous group of animals on Earth, insects are found in almost every ecosystem. Their useful role in the environment is priceless; however, for humans, their presence may be considered negative or even harmful. For years, people have been trying to control the number of pests by using synthetic insecticides, which eventually causes an increased level of resistance to applied compounds. The effects of synthetic insecticides have encouraged researchers to search for alternatives and thus develop safe compounds with high specificity. Using knowledge about the physiology of insects and the functionality of compounds of insect origin, a new class of bioinsecticides called peptidomimetics, which are appropriately modified insect analogues, was created. One promising compound that might be successfully modified is the thirteen amino acid peptide alloferon (HGVSGHGQHGVHG), which is obtained from the hemolymph of the blue blowfly Calliphora vicinia. Our research aimed to understand the physiological properties of alloferon and the activity of its peptidomimetics, which will provide the possibility of using alloferon or its analogues in the pharmaceutical industry, as a drug or adjuvant, or in agriculture as a bioinsecticide. We used alloferon and its three peptidomimetics, which are conjugates of the native peptide with three unsaturated fatty acids with various chain lengths: caprylic, myristic, and palmitic. We tested their effects on the morphology and activity of the reproductive system and the embryogenesis of the Tenebrio molitor beetle. We found that the tested compounds influenced the growth and maturation of ovaries and the expression level of the vitellogenin gene. The tested compounds also influenced the process of egg laying, embryogenesis, and offspring hatching, showing that alloferon might be a good peptide for the synthesis of effective bioinsecticides or biopharmaceuticals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
|
Copyright of Scientific Reports is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) |
| Database: |
Academic Search Complete |
|
Full text is not displayed to guests. |
Login for full access.
|
