Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 14, 2026
08:30
Detection of Phospholipase C Activity in the Brain Homogenate from the Honeybee
Published on: September 14, 2018
8.1K
Evolution of Phospholipase A2 in Bees and Flies
Siqi Yang1,2,3, Minyu Wu1,2,3, Ping Feng1,2,3
1Key Laboratory of Ecology of Rare and Endangered Species and Environmental Protection (Guangxi Normal University), Ministry of Education Guilin Guangxi China.
Ecology and Evolution
|October 21, 2025
Summary
This study identifies Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) genes in Hymenoptera and Diptera insects. Toxic insect PLA2 evolved faster than non-toxic PLA2, suggesting adaptation to venom function.
Area of Science:
- * Evolutionary Biology
- * Molecular Biology
- * Entomology
Background:
- * Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) is a key venom component in snakes, but its role in insects remains understudied.
- * This research focuses on PLA2 genes within Hymenoptera (Apis, Bombus) and Diptera (Drosophila) genera.
Purpose of the Study:
- * To identify and characterize PLA2 genes in selected Hymenoptera and Diptera species.
- * To compare the evolutionary dynamics of PLA2 between venomous (Apis, Bombus) and non-venomous (Drosophila) insects.
- * To investigate the functional divergence of PLA2 in these insect groups.
Main Methods:
- * Genome data mining to identify PLA2 gene sequences.
- * Selective pressure analyses to assess evolutionary rates.
- * Protein structure prediction to infer functional differences.
Main Results:
- * 115 PLA2 sequences identified, including intact genes, partial genes, and pseudogenes.
- * PLA2 genes in both Hymenoptera and Diptera are under purifying selection.
- * Toxic insect PLA2 exhibited a higher evolutionary rate than non-toxic PLA2, with Bombus PLA2 showing accelerated evolution.
Conclusions:
- * Insect PLA2 genes are conserved but show divergent evolutionary rates.
- * Accelerated evolution in Bombus PLA2 may relate to its venom injection strategy.
- * Drosophila PLA2 likely has roles beyond venom, potentially in development.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
02:32Exon Recombination
4.1K
The evolution of new genes is critical for speciation. Exon recombination, also known as exon shuffling or domain shuffling, is an important means of new gene formation. It is observed across vertebrates, invertebrates, and in some plants such as potatoes and sunflowers. During exon recombination, exons from the same or different genes recombine and produce new exon-intron combinations, which might evolve into new genes.
Exon shuffling follows “splice frame rules.” Each exon...
Exon shuffling follows “splice frame rules.” Each exon...
4.1K
01:42Phosphoinositides and PIPs
10.1K
Phosphoinositides are a group of phospholipids containing a glycerol backbone with two fatty acid chains and a phosphate attached to a myoinositol sugar ring. The inositol head group extends into the cytoplasm, where it is modified by adding phosphate groups to form phosphatidylinositol phosphates or PIPs.
Different phosphoinositides are synthesized and recruited on the cytosolic face of the plasma membrane. The localization of specific phosphoinositides concentrated in separate membrane...
Different phosphoinositides are synthesized and recruited on the cytosolic face of the plasma membrane. The localization of specific phosphoinositides concentrated in separate membrane...
10.1K
01:54Convergent Evolution
31.4K
Evolution shapes the features of organisms over time, ensuring that they are suited for the environments in which they live. Sometimes, selection pressure leads to the rise of similar but unrelated adaptations in organisms with no recent common ancestors, a process known as convergent evolution.
31.4K
01:19Membrane Asymmetry Regulating Transporters
6.9K
Enzymes like flippase, floppase, and scramblase transfer phospholipids from one layer to another in the membrane, thereby affecting membrane asymmetry.
Flippase
Eukaryotic flippases are type-IV P-type ATPases or P4-ATPases belonging to P-type ATPase family proteins that are membrane-bound pumps involved in the ATP-mediated transport of ions and molecules across the membrane. Flippases flip specific phospholipids from the outer to the inner leaflet of a membrane. All P4-ATPases have one...
Flippase
Eukaryotic flippases are type-IV P-type ATPases or P4-ATPases belonging to P-type ATPase family proteins that are membrane-bound pumps involved in the ATP-mediated transport of ions and molecules across the membrane. Flippases flip specific phospholipids from the outer to the inner leaflet of a membrane. All P4-ATPases have one...
6.9K