Activation of complexes gene network of interactions in response to modulation by endogenous and environmental factors during development of workers and queens of Apis mellifera

• Grant number: 20/04166-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: September 01, 2020
• End date: November 30, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Animal Genetics
• Principal Investigator: Zilá Luz Paulino Simões
• Grantee: Thiago da Silva Depintor
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 22/01448-4 - Functional characterization of MET and its relation with 20E during development and adulthood of Blattella germanica (hemimetabolous insect), BE.EP.DR

Abstract

Complexes gene network of interactions are activated in response to the morphogenetic hormones: Juvenile Hormone (JH) and ecdysone, during the development of holometabolous insects. These networks are mainly consisted of transcription factors, target genes and regulators genes (miRNAs), and their activation are responsible for morphological and physiological changes which characterizes different stages during development, such as egg, larvae, pupae and adult. The JH binds to Germ Cell-Expressed (GCE) and Taiman (TAI) giving rise to a complex, which promotes the transcription of Kr-h1 and probably ET, transducing the antimetamorphic action of JH in Apis mellifera, our organism model. The hormone JH is in the top of the hierarchy of this signalling pathway, however it is known environmental factors influences the circulating hormone levels in the haemolymph. In this project, we intend to study the signalling pathway triggered by JH, with special attention to external factors, such as differential feeding (queens and workers), differential regimen of light and temperature (larvae, pupae and adult stages) and exposure to JH analogue pesticides (pyriproxyfen-PPN). In addition, we propose the quantification of JH in the haemolymph during premature development phases of A. mellifera, which will certainly pave the way for a better understanding of JH signalling pathway in this extremely important group of pollinators, which currently are strongly affected by an uncontrolled use of pesticides. (AU)