褐飞虱和拟环纹豹蛛中调节发育的神经肽差异与受体选择性

Neuropeptides and their receptors are involved in the regulation of almost all physiological processes and behaviors. Due to their biological importance, neuropeptides involved in the regulation of insect development are considered as a promising potential drug lead for pesticides. Therefore, it is essential to understand thoroughly the significance and specificity of neuropeptide signaling between pest insects and their predators, which will greatly facilitate the development of novel and specific neuropeptide-based pesticides. The project investigates several neuropeptides regulating the development of the brown planthopper Nilaparvata lugens, and the predator pond wolf spider Pardosa pseudoannulata, with special focus on the neuropeptide structure significance, the mechanism of neuropeptide-receptor interaction and receptor specificity. Firstly, the target neuropeptides will be predicted and identified via genome analysis and mass spectrometry, followed by diversity and distinction analysis based on their sequence and quantitation. Secondly, N. lugens receptor-specific neuropeptides will be identified and the mechanism of neuropeptide-receptor interaction will be studied via cell-based receptor screening and molecular modelling. Lastly, synthetic neuropeptide mimics will be evaluated for their potential application in pest control.

神经肽作用于其受体，参与生物体中几乎所有的生理过程和行为的调控。调节发育的昆虫神经肽及其受体是潜在的杀虫剂靶标，被广泛关注。为了充分利用害虫神经肽和神经肽受体作为杀虫剂开发的潜在资源，需要了解害虫与天敌中神经肽的差异和受体选择性。因此，本研究选择重要的水稻害虫褐飞虱及其天敌拟环纹豹蛛为研究对象，在已经发现两个物种相关神经肽在序列和数目上存在差异的基础上，对调节发育的几类神经肽的组成、特征、与受体互作等关键内容开展研究。本研究将（1）运用基因组数据和多肽组学质谱分析褐飞虱和拟环纹豹蛛体内3-5种神经肽的多样性和差异；（2）利用神经肽受体表达体系和结构生物学技术，研究确定褐飞虱中2-3种具有受体专一性的、调节发育的神经肽，阐明神经肽-受体相互作用机制；（3）构建和筛选具有害虫防治应用前景的褐飞虱受体专一性的神经肽类似物，为开发神经肽类杀虫剂提供理论支撑。

神经肽作用于受体，参与生物体中几乎所有的生理过程和行为的调控。调节发育的昆虫神经肽及其受体是潜在的杀虫剂靶标。为了在充分利用害虫神经肽和神经肽受体作为杀虫剂（靶标）开发的潜在资源的同时保护好天敌资源，我们需要明确害虫与天敌中神经肽的差异和受体选择性。因此，本研究选择重要的水稻害虫褐飞虱（Nilaparvata lugens）及其天敌拟环纹豹蛛（Pardosa pseudoannulata）为研究对象，对调节发育的几类神经肽的结构特征、药理学特性及神经肽-受体互作的构效关系等关键内容开展研究。本研究（1）首次系统地鉴定并分析了拟环纹豹蛛中43个神经肽家族及其候选受体的基因信息，明确了褐飞虱和拟环纹豹蛛中调控发育的神经肽的序列和表达特征，确定了目标神经肽咽侧体抑制素A（AstA）和蜕皮引发激素对褐飞虱若虫的蜕皮过程分别具有抑制和促进的作用；（2）成功地构建了节肢动物神经肽-受体互作的外源表达检测系统，为高通量神经肽的研究和筛选提供了技术平台；（3）利用该检测系统，确定了拟环纹豹蛛AstA的受体基因，明确了褐飞虱和拟环纹豹蛛中多个AstA的药理学特性及构效关系，初步理清了这些AstA与受体的互作特异性，为高效神经肽类似物的设计提供基础。本研究在理论和技术两个方面均有收获，为以害虫神经肽受体为靶标的特异性杀虫分子的设计、筛选和开发提供了理论和技术支持。