Short neuropeptide F signaling regulates functioning of male reproductive system in Tenebrio molitor beetle

Abstract

Neuropeptides of short neuropeptides F family (sNPF) have been identified in various arthropods. They are pleiotropic neuromolecules which so far have been mainly associated with regulation of feeding and metabolism, as well as growth and development, locomotion, circadian rhythm or learning and memory. Here, we describe the effects of Tenebrionid sNPF peptide (SGRSPSLRLRFa) on various aspects of the male reproductive physiology in the Tenebrio molitor beetle. We identified in silico the putative sNPF receptor Tenmo-sNPFR. Based on RT-PCR technique, it was shown that the receptor might be present in the male reproductive tissues of this beetle. The analysis of receptor amino acid sequence showed that it is similar to other beetle sNPFRs, as well as other insect species, and belongs rhodopsin-like G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Injections of Trica-sNPF and its shorter form Trica-sNPF (4-11) caused differentiated effects in T. molitor male reproductive tissues. After 24 h post injections, the peptides decreased the concentration of the soluble protein fraction in testes of 4-and 8-day-old beetles as well as the dry mass of these organs but only in 8-day-old individuals. The same effects were shown with regard to accessory glands. Both peptides decrease the concentration of the soluble protein fraction but do not affect the dry mass of this organ. Furthermore, injections of Trica-sNPF at the 10-7 M concentration decrease the total sperm number in the reproductive system. Surprisingly, the same concentration of the shorter form, Trica-sNPF (4-11) increased the sperm number. It was also shown that both peptides in different manner influence contractions of ejaculatory duct. The data presented in this article give new evidence that sNPFs are involved in the regulation of reproductive events in beetles, which might be the part of a larger neuropeptide network combining feeding, growth and development with the physiology of reproduction.

G-Protein Coupled Receptors (GPCRs): Signaling Pathways, Characterization, and Functions in Insect Physiology and Toxicology

“…GPCRs are particularly amenable to modulation by small-molecule drugs and therefore have been the targets of about half of the drugs currently used to treat humans [ 19 , 20 ]. Many exceptional studies have revealed how GPCR genes and their potential biological functions can impact insect physiology [ 21 , 22 ], including reproduction [ 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 ], regulating growth and development [ 27 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 ], the stress response [ 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 ], feeding [ 27 , 32 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 60 ], behaviors [ 23 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 ], and other physiological processes [ 46 , 67 , …”

G-Protein Coupled Receptors (GPCRs) in Insects—A Potential Target for New Insecticide Development

“…In just a few short years, GPCR research in insects has progressed from the initial GPCR gene identification to comprehensive bioinformatics analyses, from single GPCR gene analysis to whole genome sequences of GPCRs and explorations of their pathways, and from traditional transcriptional analysis of the gene expression to gene functional characterization of the GPCR genes in insect physiology and cellular biology. The incredible progress being made in related fields includes a wide range of complementary technologies, including bioinformatics and quantitative expression analyses, with functional studies using RNA interferon revealing potential biological functions that significantly impact insect physiology [ 17 , 18 ], including reproduction [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 ], regulating growth and development [ 21 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 ], the stress response [ 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 ], feeding [ 21 , 35 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 ], general behaviors [ 20 , 57 ,…”

Identification of the Short Neuropeptide F and Short Neuropeptide F Receptor Genes and Their Roles of Food Intake in Dendroctonus armandi

“…sNPF levels decreased in diapausing individuals, indicating their role in growth and development [ 23 ]. Short neuropeptide F signaling also inhibited the oviduct muscle contractility, stimulated the contractions of the ejaculatory duct, and regulated the functioning of the male reproductive system in yellow mealworm, Tenebrio molitor [ 24 , 25 , 26 ]. However, there are no reports on the functional roles of sNPF in D. armandi.…”