Deciphering the Function of Octopaminergic Signaling on Wing Polyphenism of the Pea Aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum.

ABSTRACT: Aphids exhibit wing polyphenism (winged or wingless) for adaption to predictable or temporally heterogeneous environmental changes; however, the underlying mechanism is still unclear. This morphological change could be stimulated by high aphid density, which in turn could affect octopaminergic signaling in aphids. Octopamine is a neurotransmitter synthesized in insects that can modify their physiological metabolism, locomotion, and other behaviors. We designed experiments to determine whether octopamine functions in wing formation of the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris). We determined gene expression of tyramine β-hydroxylase (TβH), a key enzyme in octopamine synthesis at different developmental stages, in different body parts, and in different densities of aphi

SUBMITTER: Wang XX 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5145873 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature