Unusual Functions of Insect Vitellogenins: Minireview

Insect vitellogenins are an intriguing class of complex proteins. They primarily serve as a source of energy for the developing embryo in insect eggs. Vitellogenesis is a complex hormonally and neurally controlled process that command synthesis of vitellogenin molecules and ensures their transport f...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Physiological research 2023-12, Vol.72 (Suppl. 5), p.S475-S487
Main Authors: KODRÍK, D, ČAPKOVÁ FRYDRYCHOVÁ, R, HLÁVKOVÁ, D, SKOKOVÁ HABUŠTOVÁ, O, ŠTĚRBOVÁ, H
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bees
Biological activity
Ecdysteroids
Eggs
Energy resources
Females
Gene expression
Hormones
Juvenile hormones
Life span
Nematodes
Neurotransmitters
Ovaries
Proteins
Review
Social interactions
Toxins
Venom
Vitellogenesis
Vitellogenin
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Insect vitellogenins are an intriguing class of complex proteins. They primarily serve as a source of energy for the developing embryo in insect eggs. Vitellogenesis is a complex hormonally and neurally controlled process that command synthesis of vitellogenin molecules and ensures their transport from the female fat bodies or ovarial cells into eggs. The representatives of all insect hormones such as juvenile hormones, ecdysteroids, and neurohormones participate in vitellogenesis, but juvenile hormones (most insect species) and ecdysteroids (mostly Diptera) play the most important roles in the process. Strikingly, not only insect females, but also males have been reported to synthesize vitellogenins indicating their further utility in the insect body. Indeed, it has recently been found that vitellogenins perform a variety of biological functions in the insect body. They participate in defense reactions against entomopathogens such as nematodes, fungi, and bacteria, as well as against venoms such as the honeybee Apis mellifera venom. Interestingly, vitellogenins are also present in the venom of the honeybee itself, albeit their exact role is unknown; they most likely increase the efficacy of the venom in the victim's body. Within the bee's body vitellogenins contribute to the lifespan regulation as anti-aging factor acting under tight social interactions and hormonal control. The current minireview covers all of these functions of vitellogenins and portrays them as biologically active substances that play a variety of significant roles in both insect females and males, and not only acting as passive energy sources for developing embryo.
ISSN:0862-8408
1802-9973
DOI:10.33549/physiolres.935221