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Insects
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Insect Hormones, Metabolism, Immunity and Development
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Insect Hormones, Metabolism, Immunity and Development

A special issue of Insects (ISSN 2075-4450). This special issue belongs to the section "Insect Physiology, Reproduction and Development".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 December 2023) | Viewed by 15041

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Nataly Gruntenko

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
Interests: insect genetics; insect physiology; insect endocrinology; insect stress response
Dr. Maria Monastirioti

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Institute of Molecular Biology & Biotechnology, Foundation for Research & Technology – Hellas, Nikolaou Plastira 100 GR-70013, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
Interests: insect molecular genetics; insect nervous system development and function; insect reproduction

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues, 

Insect physiology is a broad field of research that deals with various aspects of insect life. A number of investigations based on different experimental approaches aim to reveal the complex mechanisms underlying insect fitness, development and metabolism, as well as their adaptations to unfavorable environmental conditions. The study of such mechanisms and the relevant molecules as well as the interplay between them is now regarded as one of the main areas of research in the insect science.

We are pleased to invite you to contribute with original research articles or reviews to the Special Issue of MDPI Insects entitled “Insect Hormones, Metabolism, Immunity and Development”. This Special Issue aims to bring together up-to-date research information on the endocrinology and immunity of insects in different biological contexts including (but not limited to) hormonal control of development, metabolic changes and behaviors affecting reproduction, as well as resistance to various biotic and abiotic stresses. All contributions related to the mechanisms of hormone action and immune defense of various insect taxa are of interest.

Dr. Nataly Gruntenko
Dr. Maria Monastirioti
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Insects is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • fitness
  • development
  • immune defenses
  • metabolism
  • endocrinology
  • physiology
  • behavior
  • life history traits
  • environmental factors
  • adaptation
  • stress response

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue polices can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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13 pages, 3010 KiB  
Article
Wolbachia Effect on Drosophila melanogaster Lipid and Carbohydrate Metabolism
by Evgenia K. Karpova, Margarita A. Bobrovskikh, Maksim A. Deryuzhenko, Olga D. Shishkina and Nataly E. Gruntenko
Insects 2023, 14(4), 357; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14040357 - 3 Apr 2023
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2232
Abstract
The effect of maternally inherited endosymbiotic bacteria Wolbachia on triglyceride and carbohydrate metabolism, starvation resistance and feeding behavior of Drosophila melanogaster females was studied. Eight D. melanogaster lines of the same nuclear background were investigated; one had no infection and served as the [...] Read more.
The effect of maternally inherited endosymbiotic bacteria Wolbachia on triglyceride and carbohydrate metabolism, starvation resistance and feeding behavior of Drosophila melanogaster females was studied. Eight D. melanogaster lines of the same nuclear background were investigated; one had no infection and served as the control, and seven others were infected with different Wolbachia strains pertaining to wMel and wMelCS groups of genotypes. Most of the infected lines had a higher overall lipid content and triglyceride level than the control line and their expression of the bmm gene regulating triglyceride catabolism was reduced. The glucose content was higher in the infected lines compared to that in the control, while their trehalose levels were similar. It was also found that the Wolbachia infection reduced the level of tps1 gene expression (coding for enzyme for trehalose synthesis from glucose) and had no effect on treh gene expression (coding for trehalose degradation enzyme). The infected lines exhibited lower appetite but higher survival under starvation compared to the control. The data obtained may indicate that Wolbachia foster their hosts’ energy exchange through increasing its lipid storage and glucose content to ensure the host’s competitive advantage over uninfected individuals. The scheme of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism regulation under Wolbachia’s influence was suggested. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insect Hormones, Metabolism, Immunity and Development)
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14 pages, 2888 KiB  
Article
Hemolymph Metabolism Analysis of Honey Bee (Apis mellifera L.) Response to Different Bee Pollens
by Hongcai Chang, Guiling Ding, Guangqun Jia, Mao Feng and Jiaxing Huang
Insects 2023, 14(1), 37; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14010037 - 30 Dec 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 3646
Abstract
Pollen is essential to the development of honey bees. The nutrients in bee pollen vary greatly among plant species. Here, we analyzed the differences in the amino acid compositions of pear (Pyrus bretschneideri), rape (Brassica napus), and apricot ( [...] Read more.
Pollen is essential to the development of honey bees. The nutrients in bee pollen vary greatly among plant species. Here, we analyzed the differences in the amino acid compositions of pear (Pyrus bretschneideri), rape (Brassica napus), and apricot (Armeniaca sibirica) pollens and investigated the variation in hemolymph metabolites and metabolic pathways through untargeted metabolomics in caged adult bees at days 7 and 14. The results showed that the levels of five essential amino acids (isoleucine, phenylalanine, lysine, methionine, and histidine) were the highest in pear pollen, and the levels of four amino acids (isoleucine: 50.75 ± 1.93 mg/kg, phenylalanine: 87.25 ± 2.66 mg/kg, methionine: 16.00 ± 0.71 mg/kg and histidine: 647.50 ± 24.80 mg/kg) were significantly higher in pear pollen than in the other two kinds of bee pollen (p < 0.05). The number of metabolites in bee hemolymph on day 14 (615) was significantly lower than that on day 7 (1466). The key metabolic pathways of bees, namely, “sphingolipid metabolism (p = 0.0091)”, “tryptophan metabolism (p = 0.0245)”, and “cysteine and methionine metabolism (p = 0.0277)”, were significantly affected on day 7. There was no meaningful pathway enrichment on day 14. In conclusion, pear pollen had higher nutritional value among the three bee pollens in terms of amino acid level, followed by rape and apricot pollen, and the difference in amino acid composition among bee pollens was reflected in the lipid and amino acid metabolism pathways of early adult honey bee hemolymph. This study provides new insights into the physiological and metabolic functions of different bee pollens in bees. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insect Hormones, Metabolism, Immunity and Development)
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12 pages, 921 KiB  
Article
Expression of Immunity- and Stress-Related Genes during an Intermolt Period in the Colorado Potato Beetle
by Vadim Yu. Kryukov, Ulyana N. Rotskaya, Olga N. Yaroslavtseva, Yury A. Noskov and Viktor V. Glupov
Insects 2022, 13(12), 1168; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects13121168 - 16 Dec 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2298
Abstract
Different developmental stages of insects may be dissimilar in immunity functioning. Additionally, the stages often inhabit diverse environments with specific microbial communities. In the Colorado potato beetle, a strong increase in resistance to entomopathogenic fungi is observed during the intermolt period of last-instar [...] Read more.
Different developmental stages of insects may be dissimilar in immunity functioning. Additionally, the stages often inhabit diverse environments with specific microbial communities. In the Colorado potato beetle, a strong increase in resistance to entomopathogenic fungi is observed during the intermolt period of last-instar larvae, but mechanisms of this change are insufficiently understood. We studied changes in the expression of immunity- and stress-related genes in the fat body and integument during this intermolt period by quantitative PCR. By the end of the instar, there was upregulation of transcription factors of Toll, IMD, and Jak–Stat pathways as well as genes encoding metalloprotease inhibitors, odorant-binding proteins, and heat shock proteins. Nonetheless, the expression of gene LdRBLk encoding β-lectin did not change during this period. Most of the aforementioned genes were upregulated in response to Metarhizium robertsii topical infection. The expression alterations were more pronounced in recently molted larvae than in finishing feeding larvae and in the integument compared to the fat body. We believe that upregulation of immune-system- and stress-related genes at the end of the intermolt period is an adaptation caused by migration of larvae into soil, where the probability of encountering entomopathogenic fungi is high. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insect Hormones, Metabolism, Immunity and Development)
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Review

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18 pages, 976 KiB  
Review
Research Progress on the Regulation of Autophagy and Apoptosis in Insects by Sterol Hormone 20-Hydroxyecdysone
by Luobin Lin, Huaqin Li, Qinzhou Zheng, Jiaxuan Hu and Wenmei Wu
Insects 2023, 14(11), 871; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14110871 - 12 Nov 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2688
Abstract
20E (20-Hydroxyecdysone) is a central steroid hormone that orchestrates developmental changes and metamorphosis in arthropods. While its molecular mechanisms have been recognized for some time, detailed elucidation has primarily emerged in the past decade. PCD (Programmed cell death), including apoptosis, necrosis, efferocytosis, pyroptosis, [...] Read more.
20E (20-Hydroxyecdysone) is a central steroid hormone that orchestrates developmental changes and metamorphosis in arthropods. While its molecular mechanisms have been recognized for some time, detailed elucidation has primarily emerged in the past decade. PCD (Programmed cell death), including apoptosis, necrosis, efferocytosis, pyroptosis, ferroptosis, and autophagy, plays a crucial role in regulated cell elimination, which is vital for cells’ development and tissue homeostasis. This review summarizes recent findings on 20E signaling regulated autophagy and apoptosis in insects, including Drosophila melanogaster, Bombyx mori, Helicoverpa armigera, and other species. Firstly, we comprehensively explore the biosynthesis of the sterol hormone 20E and its subsequent signal transduction in various species. Then, we focus on the involvement of 20E in regulating autophagy and apoptosis, elucidating its roles in both developmental contexts and bacterial infection scenarios. Furthermore, our discussion unfolds as a panoramic exposition, where we delve into the fundamental questions with our findings, anchoring them within the grander scheme of our study in insects. Deepening the understanding of 20E-autophagy/apoptosis axis not only underscores the intricate tapestry of endocrine networks, but also offers fresh perspectives on the adaptive mechanisms that have evolved in the face of environmental challenges. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insect Hormones, Metabolism, Immunity and Development)
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12 pages, 974 KiB  
Review
Mechanisms of Neuroendocrine Stress Response in Drosophila and Its Effect on Carbohydrate and Lipid Metabolism
by Margarita A. Bobrovskikh and Nataly E. Gruntenko
Insects 2023, 14(5), 474; https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14050474 - 17 May 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3044
Abstract
Response to short-term stress is a fundamental survival mechanism ensuring protection and adaptation in adverse environments. Key components of the neuroendocrine stress reaction in insects are stress-related hormones, including biogenic amines (dopamine and octopamine), juvenile hormone, 20-hydroxyecdysone, adipokinetic hormone and insulin-like peptides. In [...] Read more.
Response to short-term stress is a fundamental survival mechanism ensuring protection and adaptation in adverse environments. Key components of the neuroendocrine stress reaction in insects are stress-related hormones, including biogenic amines (dopamine and octopamine), juvenile hormone, 20-hydroxyecdysone, adipokinetic hormone and insulin-like peptides. In this review we focus on different aspects of the mechanism of the neuroendocrine stress reaction in insects on the D. melanogaster model, discuss the interaction of components of the insulin/insulin-like growth factors signaling pathway and other stress-related hormones, and suggest a detailed scheme of their possible interaction and effect on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism under short-term heat stress. The effect of short-term heat stress on metabolic behavior and possible regulation of its mechanisms are also discussed here. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Insect Hormones, Metabolism, Immunity and Development)
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