Immune Signaling and Antimicrobial Peptide Expression in Lepidoptera.

ABSTRACT: Many lepidopteran insects are agricultural pests that affect stored grains, food and fiber crops. These insects have negative ecological and economic impacts since they lower crop yield, and pesticides are expensive and can have off-target effects on beneficial arthropods. A better understanding of lepidopteran immunity will aid in identifying new targets for the development of specific insect pest management compounds. A fundamental aspect of immunity, and therefore a logical target for control, is the induction of antimicrobial peptide (AMP) expression. These peptides insert into and disrupt microbial membranes, thereby promoting pathogen clearance and insect survival. Pathways leading to AMP expression have been extensively studied in the dipteran Drosophila melanogaster. However, Dipte

SUBMITTER: Casanova-Torres AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4386667 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature