Functional characterization of MET and its relation with 20E during development and adulthood of Blattella germanica (hemimetabolous insect)

• Grant number: 22/01448-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• Start date: May 01, 2022
• End date: April 30, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Genetics - Animal Genetics
• Principal Investigator: Zilá Luz Paulino Simões
• Grantee: Thiago da Silva Depintor
• Supervisor: Xavier Belles
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Institut de Biologia Evolutiva (IBE), Spain
• Associated to the scholarship: 20/04166-4 - 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, BP.DR

Abstract

The nuclear receptor for Juvenile Hormone (JH) known as MET belongs to the basic helix-loop-helix Per/Arnt/Sim (bHLH-PAS) transcription factor family. It was first identified in Drosophila melanogaster where we may find a paralog called Germ-cell expressed, in Blattella germanica just the derived form is found. Despite MET being known to be a key component in the JH path, we believe it may have a role in the 20E signaling pathway. In this project, we propose exploring the role of Met in the 20E pathway, having a look at the gene function through RNAi techniques, during stages of development where JH has basal levels. We also intend to visualize labeled in situ mRNA providing information for a better understanding of localization in distinct tissues (ovary, brain and fat body), during different stages of B. germanica life cycle. This proposal comes attached to the main project that has Apis mellifera as model organism, it is a holometabolous insect differing from B. germanica which presents an incomplete metamorphosis mode, known as hemimetaboly. The data to be generated will pave the way for a discussion in evolutive terms regarding these two important modes of metamorphosis. (AU)