昆虫激脂激素的功能及作用机制研究进展

Research Progress in the Functions and Mode of Actions of Insect Adipokinetic Hormones

激脂激素(adipokinetic hormone,AKH)是昆虫体内调节能量稳态的重要内分泌神经多肽,能够促进脂肪体中营养储存物质的分解,在维持昆虫高耗能生命活动中具有关键作用。AKH的研究在早期多围绕昆虫飞行及爬行等运动活动中促进甘油三酯、糖元等物质分解的功能和信号传导机制。近年来的研究发现,AKH/膜受体AKHR通路也参与促进卵黄发生和后代哺育过程中营养物质的调动。另外,AKH在抗氧化、忍耐饥饿和免疫等逆境响应中的稳态维持也具有重要作用。越来越多的研究证明,作为重要的能量物质动用激素,AKH是一种参与多种生理活动的多效性调控因子。本文就AKH/AKHR信号通路在昆虫运动、生殖及抗胁迫等生理活动中功能和作用机制的研究进展进行总结和论述,以期为进一步阐明AKH在昆虫能量稳态调控中的分子机制提供帮助,并为解析害虫远距离迁飞、大量繁殖以及抗环境胁迫的分子基础和遗传调控机理提供参考。

Adipokinetic hormone(AKH) is one of the most important neuropeptides regulating energy homeostasis in insects by inducing mobilization of energetic substrates in the fat body to fuel energy-consuming activities. Early studies on AKH had focused on unveiling the functions and signal transduction of AKH on promoting catabolism of nutrient reserves, such as triacylglycerol and glycogen, during insect locomotion including flight and walking. Recent studies have illustrated that AKH/AKH receptor system is involved in mobilization of nutrient stores during insect vitellogenesis and lactation. Additionally, AKHs also play important roles in homeostasis maintenance under stress conditions including antioxidant, starvation, and immunity.Accumulating evidence suggests that, as a key hormone for mobilizing energy stores, AKH is a pleotropic factor involved in many physiological events. Here we reviewed the functions and modes of action of AKHs in insect locomotion, reproduction and stress resistance, aiming to support further uncovering the molecular mechanism of AKH signaling pathway in regulation of insect energy homeostasis, and elaborating genetic basis of long-distance migration, high fertility and anti-stresses in pests.