小菜蛾2个AKH亚型的功能分化及其调控幼虫取食行为的分子机制

Neuropeptides have become prime practical potential targets in the development of novel insect control agents. Adipokinetic hormone (AKH) has been reported to regulate various physiological behaviors of insects through lipid metabolism pathway, which has obvious potential as insecticidal target. The diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella (L.), could cause serious damage by larvae feeding on the host plants. Due to its resistance to pesticides, a new safe and effective management method is urgently needed. Therefore, the present study focused on the larvae of P. xylostella, based on the identification of two AKH peptides in this pest, advanced molecular techniques such as immunohistochemistry, heterologous expression, CRISPR/Cas9, peptide injection will be employed to identify the AKH signaling pathway, analyze their expression patterns, and reveal the physiological functions of AKH in trophic behavior in the larva of P. xylostella. The results will enrich the knowledge about neurophysiological mechanism of trophic behavior in larva, promote to seek novel method for larval management, and also provide theoretical basis for the development of new pest behavioral regulators that target insect neuropeptide signaling system in the future.

神经肽信号传递系统是开发新型昆虫行为调节剂的理想靶标。脂动激素AKH可通过脂质代谢途径影响昆虫的多种生理行为，具有明显的药靶潜力。小菜蛾主要以幼虫取食进行为害，由于抗药性问题日益突出，亟需寻找安全有效的防控新方法。因此，本研究以小菜蛾幼虫为研究对象，在前期发现2个AKH亚型的基础上，拟用免疫荧光、异源表达、基因敲除以及多肽注射等技术和手段，鉴定小菜蛾AKH信号系统，比较2种AKH亚型的表达分布及功能差异，揭示其对小菜蛾幼虫取食行为的调控机制。研究结果不仅有利于解析昆虫幼虫取食行为调节的神经生理学机制，还有助于寻获新的幼虫防治策略，为今后靶向神经肽AKH信号系统的新型害虫行为调节剂的创制提供理论依据。