Functional analysis and localisation of a thyrotropin-releasing hormone-type neuropeptide (EFLa) in hemipteran insects.

ABSTRACT: EFLamide (EFLa) is a neuropeptide known for a long time from crustaceans, chelicerates and myriapods. Recently, EFLa-encoding genes were identified in the genomes of apterygote hexapods including basal insect species. In pterygote insects, however, evidence of EFLa was limited to partial sequences in the bed bug (Cimex), migratory locust and a few phasmid species. Here we present identification of a full length EFLa-encoding transcript in the linden bug, Pyrrhocoris apterus (Heteroptera). We created complete null mutants allowing unambiguous anatomical location of this peptide in the central nervous system. Only 2-3 EFLa-expressing cells are located very close to each other near to the surface of the lateral protocerebrum with dense neuronal arborization. Homozygous null EFLa mutants are f

SUBMITTER: Kotwica-Rolinska J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7294237 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature