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Latitudinal effect on cold tolerance of a firebug Pyrrhocoris apterus
JANDA, Václav
This thesis deals with the relationship between the place of origin and the extend of cold hardiness of fire bug Pyrrhocoris apterus (Linnaeus, 1758). Thirteen populations from twelve European localities were used in the experiment. Linear regressions were used to relate the values of SCP (10th percentile, first quartile, mean and median) of the individual populations to minimum and average winter temperatures of given localities. The relationship between air temperatures and SCP values were significant provided that the data of all populations were used. After the removal of three southern non-diapausing populations this relationship lost its significance.
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Effect of the search image on the lizard ability to reveal a Batesian mimic
BENEŠ, Josef
The effect of the search image on the ability of hand reared skinks (Chalcides sexlineatus) to reveal a "fake" Batesian mimic was tested with respect to their previous experience with palatable experimental prey (Guyana spotted cockroach Blaptica dubia) which served as a motivational prey as well as midsized mealworm beetle larvae (Tenebrio molitor). The red firebug (Pyrrhocoris apterus) was used as an aposematic model.
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Mode of action of adipokinetic hormone at the sub-cellular level in potentiating anti-oxidative responses in insects.
BEDNÁŘOVÁ, Andrea
Adipokinetic hormones (AKHs) are neuropeptides from the arthropod AKH/RPCH (adipokinetic hormone/ red pigment concentrating hormone) family. The typical AKH is an octa-, nona- or decamer that is synthesized, stored and released by the neurosecretory cells of the corpora cardiaca (CC) connected to the brain and primarily involved in the mobilization of energy reserves from the fat body in insects. In addition to its well established role in energy metabolism, AKH has also been implicated to be involved in stress responses specifically to oxidative stress. Oxidative stress induced elevation of AKH levels as well as a modulation of biomarkers of oxidative damage following exogenous application of AKH have been demonstrated. However, the discrete steps involved in the mode of action of AKH in triggering an anti-oxidative response is far from clear. Given the role of AKH as a neuroendocrine factor that mediates a response to oxidative stress, the mode of action of AKH at the sub-cellular level was investigated. Using isolated central nervous system (brain) as an in vitro model, we establish that AKH can potentiate an anti-oxidative response to oxidative stress. Further, we also demonstrate that AKH uses a conserved signal transduction mechanism involving both protein kinase C (PKC) and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and by mobilizing both intra as well as extra-cellular Ca2+ stores to elaborate its anti-oxidative response. Finally, using the genetically tractable fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster, we demonstrate through RNAi mediated knockdown of AKH synthesis as well as overexpression of AKH using the GAL4/UAS system, that the fork-head box transcription factor (dFoXO) might function downstream of AKH signaling in its stress responsive role. These results implicate AKH as a stress hormone while offering possibilities to further identify specific regulatory mechanisms and downstream effector molecules. Since stress signaling pathways are conserved, insights obtained from such studies on insects will offer some unique avenues for understanding stress responses and related pathologies in vertebrates including humans.
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Insect cold tolerance and seasonal changes in composition of sterols and tocopherols
URBAN, Tomáš
Presented work focused on researching cold resistance in insects (Pyrrhocoris apterus), especially in qualitative and quantitative composition and seasonal changes in the content of tocopherols and sterols in membranes. Collection of samples, tissue extraction, separation, sample preparation and the final analysis was included. There were detected three different sterols (animal cholesterol, plant sterols: campesterol and sitosterol). Also were detected ?-tocopherol and ?-tocopherol. Volume of cholesterol was in the range of 0.2 to 0.8 mol%, for phytosterols was the range from 1.2 to 15.2 mol%, and for tocopherols was the range from 0.1 to 31.3 mol%. Seasonal fluctuations of sterols and tocopherols were evaluated with a minimum in summer and maximum in winter.
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The effect of food restriction on longevity in an insect model
BUŘIČOVÁ, Marcela
It is known that the restricted food intake in many species extends lifespan by slowing and/or delaying the aging processes. The underlying biological mechanisms responsible for the lifespan extension are still not known, althought several hypotheses have been proposed. Cost of reproduction, where the lifespan and fecundity are negatively correlated, is of widespread occurrence. In females of the linden bug Pyrrhocoris apterus no evidence for a trade-off between lifespan and fecundity were observed. Restriction of food intake reduces egg production but has no effect on lifespan.
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Physiological mechanisms of aging in maless of model insect species
PROVAZNÍK, Jan
Trade-off between reproduction and longevity is a widely accepted fact, yet proximate mechanisms are scarcely understood. In this work I tested differences in lifespan between diapause and non-diapause males of a model insect, the linden bug Pyrrhocoris apterus. Also the role of juvenile hormone in regulation of longevity and immunity (measured by relative phenoloxidase activity) was assessed. In addition to that, I examined if juvenile hormone is the mediator of reduction in longevity induced by mating.
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Contribution to the study of insect stress hormones
ALQUICER BARRERA, Glenda Paola
The present study considers the versatile role of adipokinetic hormones (AKHs). Using the firebug Pyrrhocoris apterus as a model insect, the hypothesis that AKHs mediate stress response mechanisms was explored. The outcome indicated that there is a positive feedback regulation between an oxidative stressor action and the level of AKH in insect body, and that AKHs might be involved in the activation of antioxidant protection mechanism. Further results revealed a functional homology between AKH and the mammalian hormone glucagon. The possible effects of glucagon on mobilisation of energy reserves and on elicitation of an antioxidant response to oxidative stress were investigated. As a result, glucagon-immunoreactive material was detected for the first time in the firebug central nervous system and gut. Antioxidant mechanisms are elicited after glucagon treatment but it did not involve mobilization of energy reserves or AKH level changes. As a complement, the existence of a feedback between juvenile hormone and AKH was investigated by topical application of the juvenile hormone analogue methoprene, which influenced the release of AKH from the central nervous system into the haemolymph and induced a partial reduction of lipid content in haemolymph.
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