家蚕神经肽及其受体的功能和信号转导机制研究进展

Progress in functions and underlying signal transduction mechanisms of neuropeptides and their receptors in the silkworm Bombyx mori

神经肽是一类由神经分泌细胞分泌、用于调节生物胞间信号传递的信号分子,其信号分子的膜定位、相应胞内信使的激活以及一系列级联反应的引发,是由存在于细胞表面的特异性受体分子来完成的。神经肽及其受体能够调控昆虫的几乎所有生命活动,在昆虫生长发育中起着关键作用。家蚕Bombyx mori作为鳞翅目昆虫的模式物种,是昆虫生长发育与生理学研究的重要模型。特别是家蚕基因组测序完成后,越来越多的家蚕神经肽及其受体被鉴定,并发现其在家蚕的生长发育、取食消化、蜕皮、滞育、繁殖、吐丝结茧等各种生理活动中都发挥了重要的调节作用。本文综述了家蚕重要神经肽的种类及其对家蚕取食消化、蜕皮变态、生殖发育等的调控作用,探讨了神经肽通过结合特异性受体而激活细胞内ERK、TOR等下游信号通路的分子作用机制,以期为昆虫神经肽及其受体研究提供借鉴和参考,并以此推进家蚕功能基因的研究,促进蚕丝产业的发展。

As a class of neuronal signal molecules,neuropeptides are secreted by the neurosecretory cells and play an important role during the communications of different cells. The specific receptor molecules,which are located on the cell surface,are responsible for the localization of neuropeptide molecules and the activation of corresponding intracellular messengers, and eventually trigger a series of cascade reactions. Neuropeptides also have crucial effects on the growth and development of insects,and regulate almost all life activities. As a model species of the Lepidoptera,the silkworm（ Bombyx mori） is an important research model for insect development and physiology. Following the completion of the silkworm genome sequencing,more and more neuropeptides and their receptors in this moth have been identified.They were found to deeply influence lots of physiological activities,such as the growth and development,feeding and digestion,molting,diapause,reproduction and cocooning. In this article,we reviewed crucial neuropeptides in the silkworm and their regulation roles in feeding and digestion,molting and metamorphosis,reproduction and development,and other physiological processes. We also discussed the molecular mechanisms that neuropeptides activate the downstream signal transduction pathways,such as ERK and TOR,by binding to their specific receptors. It is expected to provide insights and references for the research of neuropeptides and their receptors in insects,so to advance the research of functional genes of the silkworm and promote the development of silk industry.