6533b852fe1ef96bd12ab709
RESEARCH PRODUCT
Identification of a gene overexpressed in aphids reared under short photoperiod.
Andrés MoyaSilvia RamosDavid Martínez-torressubject
DNA ComplementaryPhotoperiodMolecular Sequence DataBiologyBiochemistrySexual Behavior AnimalComplementary DNAAnimalsCircadian rhythmAmino Acid SequenceCloning MolecularMolecular BiologyGeneDNA PrimersphotoperiodismGeneticsDifferential displayBase SequenceSequence Homology Amino Acidfood and beveragesParthenogenesisbiology.organism_classificationAcyrthosiphon pisumInsect ScienceAphidsGABAergicInsect Proteinsdescription
Most aphids develop a cyclic parthenogenesis life-cycle. After several generations of viviparously produced parthenogenetic females, follows a single annual generation of sexual individuals, usually in autumn, that mate and lay the sexual eggs. Shortening of photoperiod at the end of the summer (together with temperature) is a key factor inducing the sexual response. Currently no genes involved in the cascade of events that lead to the appearance of sexual forms have been reported. After a Differential Display RT-PCR survey performed on Acyrthosiphon pisum aphids, we identified a gene that is overexpressed in aphids reared under short photoperiod conditions that induce sexuality in this species. This cDNA (called ApSDI-1) shows similarities with a protein involved in amino acid transport in GABAergic neurons. Since several studies implicate GABAergic transmission in the generation and modulation of circadian rhythmicity, we propose that ApSDI-1 could be involved in the transduction of the photoperiodic message and therefore be a candidate to participate at some point in processes that trigger the sexual response in aphids. This is the first gene identified in aphids whose expression is governed by the photoperiod.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003-03-01 | Insect biochemistry and molecular biology |