赤拟谷盗ALS蛋白响应UV胁迫调控变态的机制研究

Ultraviolet ray (UV) is an important environmental factor, which influences behavior and physiology of insects. UV radiation is often used in physical control pests. Insect endocrine system is important in maintaining homeostasis balance and regulating growth and development. The study on this system is a hot spot in entomological research. In previous studies, we found that storage pest Tribolium castaneum could repress ecdysteroidogenic and delay metamorphosis under UV irradiation. The response mode is mediated by insulin-like growth factor acid-labile subunit (ALS), which participates in activation of insulin/IGF signaling (IIS). However, how the ALS proteins respond to UV stress, transmit signal, regulate ecdysteroidogenic and metamorphosis? These are what we are interested in. In this project, we hope to explain the pattern of ALS regulating IIS and ecdysteroidogenic; and illustrate the UV stress signal transmission mechanism of ALS by using als gene cloning, expression pattern analysis, protein interaction analysis as well as RNA interference. This project will help us understand the strategies of insect endocrine system responding to UV stress; enrich and perfect pest physical control technique; and has great significance for promoting the development of physical control pests industry.

紫外线（UV）是一种重要的环境因子，影响昆虫的行为和生理，常被用于害虫物理防治。昆虫内分泌系统对维持内稳态平衡、调控生长发育具有重要作用，该系统对环境胁迫响应一直是昆虫学领域的研究热点。我们前期的研究发现赤拟谷盗末龄幼虫受UV胁迫后，蜕皮激素合成被抑制，变态推迟，这个过程受胰岛素/胰岛素样生长因子信号（IIS）途径中的胰岛素样生长因子酸不稳定亚基（ALS）介导。那么ALS蛋白是如何响应UV胁迫、传递胁迫信号、调控蜕皮激素合成、影响昆虫变态呢？这是我们感兴趣的科学问题。本项目拟通过对赤拟谷盗als基因克隆、表达模式、蛋白互作和基因干扰的研究，明确UV胁迫后ALS蛋白调节IIS转导和蜕皮激素合成的方式，阐明ALS蛋白传递胁迫信号调控变态的机制。开展本项研究有利于认识和理解昆虫内分泌系统应对UV胁迫的生理对策，为丰富和完善害虫物理防治策略提供科学依据，对促进害虫物理防治产业的发展具有重要意义。

紫外线（UV）是一种重要的环境因子，影响昆虫的行为和生理，常被用于害虫物理防治。昆虫内分泌系统对维持内稳态平衡、调控生长发育具有重要作用，该系统对环境胁迫响应一直是昆虫学领域的研究热点。本项目通过转录组、RNAi、qPCR、酵母双杂交等技术研究发现UV胁迫会导致赤拟谷盗胰岛素样生长因子结合蛋白酸不稳定亚基基因als-1和als-3高表达，而als基因的沉默会影响赤拟谷盗变态，并降低其抵御UV胁迫的能力。该过程是als通过调控IIS信号通路及下游的蜕皮激素合成相关基因的表达发挥作用。此研究证明ALS蛋白是赤拟谷盗感受UV胁迫的内源因子，它能将环境胁迫信号转化成昆虫体内的激素信号，是昆虫通内分泌系统响应环境胁迫的关键。本项研究结果有利于认识和理解昆虫内分泌系统应对UV胁迫的生理对策，为丰富和完善害虫物理防治策略提供科学依据，对促进害虫物理防治产业的发展具有重要意义。