Natalisin, a tachykinin-like signaling system, regulates sexual activity and fecundity in insects

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1310676110
• Publication Date: 2013-08-27T02:24:39Z
• Authors: Hongbo Jiang; Ankhbayar Lkhagva; Ivana Daubnerová; Hyo-Seok Chae; Ladislav Šimo; Sung-Hwan Jung; Yeu-Kyung Yoon; Na-Rae Lee; Jae Young Seong; Dušan Žitňan; Yoonseong Park; Young-Joon Kim
• Keywords: Arthropod; Courtship display; Receptivity

Significance Successful courtship and reproduction, which are at the center of evolutionary processes, involve complex interactions between neural endocrine systems. In this study, we describe a group neuropeptides that have named “natalisin” (from Latin natalis for “birth”) because their function in promoting reproduction arthropods. Three holometabolous insects, Drosophila melanogaster , Bombyx mori Tribolium castaneum were examined to understand patterns natalisin expression assess phenotype RNAi, revealed functions behavior egg production. The receptor identified here warrants expanded study elucidate mechanisms arthropod reproduction.