Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 19, 2026
06:49
Ex Vivo Calcium Imaging for Visualizing Brain Responses to Endocrine Signaling in Drosophila
Published on: June 2, 2018
10.0K
Adipokinetic hormone signalling system in the Chagas disease vector, Rhodnius prolixus
M Zandawala1, Z Hamoudi, A B Lange
1Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, ON, Canada.
Insect Molecular Biology
|December 30, 2014
Summary
This study identifies the adipokinetic hormone (AKH) signaling system in Rhodnius prolixus, revealing its crucial role in lipid mobilization. Knocking down the AKH receptor (AKHR) in this insect leads to altered fat storage and transport.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Insect Physiology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Neuropeptides and G protein-coupled receptors are conserved across Metazoa.
- Insect adipokinetic hormone (AKH) mobilizes energy substrates like lipids and carbohydrates for activities such as flight.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the roles of the AKH signaling system in the insect Rhodnius prolixus.
- To isolate and characterize the adipokinetic hormone (AKH) and its receptor (AKHR) in R. prolixus.
Main Methods:
- cDNA sequencing to identify Rhopr-AKH and Rhopr-AKHR.
- Quantitative PCR to examine spatial expression patterns.
- RNA interference (RNAi) to knock down Rhopr-AKHR expression.
- Measurement of lipid levels in fat body and hemolymph.
Main Results:
- Rhopr-AKH is expressed in the corpus cardiacum, while Rhopr-AKHR is found in peripheral tissues, including the fat body.
- Knockdown of Rhopr-AKHR in adult males resulted in increased fat body lipid content and decreased hemolymph lipid levels.
- AKH injection failed to mobilize lipids in Rhopr-AKHR-depleted males, confirming Rhopr-AKHR as the functional receptor.
Conclusions:
- The adipokinetic hormone (AKH) signaling pathway is involved in regulating lipid metabolism in Rhodnius prolixus.
- Rhodnius prolixus adipokinetic hormone receptor (Rhopr-AKHR) plays a key role in mediating lipid mobilization from the fat body into the hemolymph.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:25Cell Signaling in Plants
7.2K
Plant cells communicate to coordinate their cycle of growth, flowering and fruiting, and activities in roots, shoots, and leaves in response to the changing environmental conditions. Plant signaling is distinct from animal signaling. Plants primarily utilize enzyme-linked receptors, whereas the largest class of cell-surface receptors in animals are G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs). Unlike animals, receptor tyrosine kinases are rare in plants. Instead, plants have a diverse class of...
7.2K
01:30Regulation of Food Intake
3.2K
Short-term regulation of food intake primarily involves neural signals from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, blood nutrient levels, and GI tract hormones. Communication between the gut and brain via vagal nerve fibers plays a significant role in evaluating the contents of the gut. Clinical studies have shown that protein ingestion produces a more prolonged response in these nerve fibers compared to an equivalent amount of glucose. Additionally, the activation of stretch receptors caused by GI...
3.2K
01:45Endocrine Signaling
69.8K
Endocrine cells produce hormones to communicate with remote target cells found in other organs. The hormone reaches these distant areas using the circulatory system. This exposes the whole organism to the hormone but only those cells expressing hormone receptors or target cells are affected. Thus, endocrine signaling induces slow responses from its target cells but these effects also last longer.
69.8K
02:33Hedgehog Signaling Pathway
10.4K
The Hedgehog gene (Hh) was first discovered due to its control of the growth of disorganized, hair-like bristles phenotype in Drosophila, much like hedgehog spines. Hh plays a crucial role in the development of organs and the maintenance of homeostasis in both invertebrates and vertebrates. However, while Drosophila has only one Hh protein, mammals have multiple functional Hedgehog proteins - Sonic (Shh), Desert (Dhh), and Indian Hedgehog (Ihh). All of these homologous proteins have adapted to...
10.4K
02:33Hedgehog Signaling Pathway
1.9K
1.9K
01:24Intracellular Signaling Cascades
55.6K
Once a ligand binds to a receptor, the signal is transmitted through the membrane and into the cytoplasm. The continuation of a signal in this manner is called signal transduction. Signal transduction only occurs with cell-surface receptors, which cannot interact with most components of the cell, such as DNA. Only internal receptors can interact directly with DNA in the nucleus to initiate protein synthesis. When a ligand binds to its receptor, conformational changes occur that affect the...
55.6K