A5011482814- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Plant and animal studies
- Insect-Plant Interactions and Control
- Lepidoptera: Biology and Taxonomy
- Fossil Insects in Amber
- Hemiptera Insect Studies
- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- Insect Utilization and Effects
- Entomological Studies and Ecology
- Trypanosoma species research and implications
- Insect behavior and control techniques
- Orthoptera Research and Taxonomy
- Forest Insect Ecology and Management
- Anorectal Disease Treatments and Outcomes
- Crustacean biology and ecology
- Insect Pest Control Strategies
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Aquaculture Nutrition and Growth
- Invertebrate Taxonomy and Ecology
- Physiological and biochemical adaptations
- Insect Pheromone Research and Control
- Diptera species taxonomy and behavior
- Coleoptera Taxonomy and Distribution
University of Cape Town
2016-2025
University of Münster
2023
Universität Hamburg
2008
Tsetse flies are the sole vectors of human African trypanosomiasis throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Both sexes adult tsetse feed exclusively on blood and contribute to disease transmission. Notable differences between other include obligate microbial symbioses, viviparous reproduction, lactation. Here, we describe sequence annotation 366-megabase Glossina morsitans genome. Analysis genome 12,308 predicted protein-encoding genes led multiple discoveries, including chromosomal integrations...
Tsetse flies (Glossina sp.) are the vectors of human and animal trypanosomiasis throughout sub-Saharan Africa. distinguished from other Diptera by unique adaptations, including lactation birthing live young (obligate viviparity), a vertebrate blood-specific diet both sexes, obligate bacterial symbiosis. This work describes comparative analysis six Glossina genomes representing three sub-genera: Morsitans (G. morsitans morsitans, G. pallidipes, austeni), Palpalis palpalis, fuscipes), Fusca...
Physiological processes are regulated by a diverse array of neuropeptides that coordinate organ systems. The neuropeptides, many which act through G protein-coupled receptors, affect the levels cyclic nucleotides (cAMP and cGMP) Ca(2+) in target tissues. In this perspective, their roles molting, osmoregulation, metabolite utilization, cardiovascular function highlighted. decapod crustaceans, inhibitory (molt-inhibiting hormone crustacean hyperglycemic hormone) suppress molting gland cAMP-...
Adipokinetic hormone (AKH) is a highly researched insect neuropeptide that induces the mobilization of carbohydrates and lipids from fat body at times high physical activity, such as flight locomotion. As naturally occurring ligand, AKH has undergone quite number amino acid changes throughout evolution, in some species multiple AKHs are present. acts by binding to rhodopsin-like G protein-coupled receptor, which related vertebrate gonadotropin-releasing receptors. In current study, we have...
Nineteen species of various families the order Diptera and one from Mecoptera are investigated with mass spectrometry for presence primary structure putative adipokinetic hormones (AKHs). Additionally, peptide AKHs in other deduced data mining publicly available genomic or transcriptomic data. The study aims to demonstrate structural biodiversity this insect also possible evolutionary trends. Sequence analysis is achieved by liquid chromatography coupled spectrometry. corpora cardiaca almost...
Beetles are the largest animal group, in general. Phylogenetically, beetles belong to order Coleoptera, most species-rich of Insecta. Coleoptera is divided into four suborders: Polyphaga, Adephaga, Archostemata, and Myxophaga. Specimens from latter two difficult obtain, hence, we have focused our research adipokinetic hormone (AKH) peptide family on former suborders. Data Adephaga were concluded 2017. The "core Polyphaga" consists three series: Elateriformia, Staphyliniformia, Cucujiformia;...
Abstract This is the first pharmacological characterisation of a neuropeptide G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) in crustacean. We cloned ORF red pigment-concentrating hormone from German strain Daphnia pulex (Dappu-RPCH), as well that cognate (Dappu-RPCHR). Dappu-RPCHR has hallmarks rhodopsin superfamily GPCRs, and more similar to insect adipokinetic (AKH) sequences than for AKH/corazonin-like peptide or corazonin. provide experimental evidence Dappu-RPCH specifically activates (EC 50 value...
Adipokinetic hormone (AKH) is a neuropeptide produced in the insect corpora cardiaca that plays an essential role mobilising carbohydrates and lipids from fat body to haemolymph. AKH acts by binding rhodopsin-like G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), adipokinetic (AKHR). In this study, we tackle ligand gene evolution as well evolutionary origins of paralogues order Blattodea (termites cockroaches). Phylogenetic analyses precursor sequences point ancient duplication event common ancestor...
Adipokinetic hormones (AKHs) in Arthopoda are characterized by special sequence features including limited choices of amino acid residues certain positions, such as Trp position 8. Over 100 different AKHs have been described, but de novo sequencing novel peptide can be a challenge. In project analyzing corpora cardiaca extracts from two fly species, moths, termite and beetle for their AKHs, we noted specific patterns the fragmentation spectra octapeptides electrospray Q-TOF experiments...
Abstract. The metabolites that are generally used by insects during exercise present in quite different concentrations the haemolymph of backswimmer Notonecta glauca L. Lipids most abundant (between 10 and 20 mg/mL), whereas carbohydrates (2–3 mg/mL) proline (approximately 1 at very low concentrations. Injection an extract conspecific corpora cardiaca causes pronounced hyperlipaemia backswimmer. A neuropeptide with same effect was isolated from a single high‐performance liquid chromatography...
Neuropeptides are the main regulators of physiological, developmental, and behavioural processes in insects. Three insect neuropeptide systems, adipokinetic hormone (AKH), corazonin (Crz), hormone/corazonin-related peptide (ACP), their cognate receptors, related to vertebrate gonadotropin (GnRH) system form GnRH superfamily peptides. In current study, two signalling AKH ACP, yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti, were comparatively investigated with respect ligand binding respective...