Premium
Expression and localization of the Spodoptera frugiperda allatotropin (Spofr‐AT) and allatostatin (Spofr‐AS) genes
Author(s) -
Abdellatief Mohatmed,
MeyeringVos Martina,
Hoffmann Klaus H.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
archives of insect biochemistry and physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.576
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1520-6327
pISSN - 0739-4462
DOI - 10.1002/arch.10130
Subject(s) - biology , corpus allatum , spodoptera , manduca sexta , juvenile hormone , gene isoform , in situ hybridization , gene , neuropeptide , medicine , gene expression , endocrinology , insect , genetics , hormone , receptor , recombinant dna , botany
Manduca sexta allatotropin and allatostatin were the first corpora allata (CA) regulating neuropeptides identified from Lepidoptera. Recently, we cloned the allatotropin (Spofr‐AT) and the allatostatin (Spofr‐AS) genes from the fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda . Using one‐step RT‐PCR for semi‐quantification of the gene expression, we now demonstrate that three mRNA isoforms of the Spofr‐AT gene and the Spofr‐AS gene are expressed in brain, digestive tract, and reproductive organs of larvae, pupae, and adults in a time‐ and tissue‐specific manner. Expression rates in the brain and in various parts of the digestive tract prove the dual role of the peptides as brain/gut (neuro)peptides. The functional meaning of ovarian and testes expression of the genes is not yet clear, although myoregulatory properties of the peptides are probable. The tissue‐specific localization of the prohormone expression, as demonstrated by whole mount in situ hybridization, confirms the overall distribution of the prohormones as shown by RT‐PCR and supports the pleiotropic functions of the peptides. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 55:188–199, 2004. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.