Orcokinin neuropeptides regulate reproduction in the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. (December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Silva, Valeria; Palacios-Muñoz, Angelina; Volonté, Mariano; Frenkel, Lía; Ewer, John; Ons, Sheila
• Is Part Of: Insect biochemistry and molecular biology. Volume 139(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-12
• Subjects: Innate behaviors -- Ecdysis -- Sleep -- Locomotor activity -- Courtship -- Oviposition; Insect biochemistry -- Periodicals; Insects -- Physiology -- Periodicals; Insects -- Molecular aspects -- Periodicals; Biochemistry -- Periodicals; Insectes -- Biochimie -- Périodiques; Insectes -- Composition -- Périodiques; Insectes -- Physiologie -- Périodiques; Insectes -- Aspect moléculaire -- Périodiques; Biochimie -- Périodiques; Biochemistry; Insect biochemistry; Insects -- Molecular aspects; Insects -- Physiology; Periodicals; 572.8157
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2021.103676
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0965-1748

Abstract

Abstract: In animals, neuropeptidergic signaling is essential for the regulation of survival and reproduction. In insects, Orcokinins are poorly studied, despite their high level of conservation among different orders. In particular, there are currently no reports on the role of Orcokinins in the experimental insect model, the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster . In the present work, we made use of the genetic tools available in this species to investigate the role of Orcokinins in the regulation of different innate behaviors including ecdysis, sleep, locomotor activity, oviposition, and courtship. We found that RNAi-mediated knockdown of the orcokinin gene caused a disinhibition of male courtship behavior, including the occurrence of male to male courtship, which is rarely seen in wildtype flies. In addition, orcokinin gene silencing caused a reduction in egg production. Orcokinin is emerging as an important neuropeptide family in the regulation of the physiology of insects from different orders. In the case of the fruit fly, our results suggest an important role in reproductive success. Graphical abstract: Image 1 HIGHLIGHTS: Orcokinins (OKs) are conserved neuropeptides whose function is poorly understood. We studied the role of OKs in the control of Drosophila melanogaster behaviors. Knockdown of OKs caused disinhibition of male courtship towards females and males. Knockdown of OKs had at most minor effects on ecdysis, locomotor activity, and sleep.