Structure and Physiology of the Neuropeptidergic System of Triatomines

ONS SHEILA; STERKEL MARCOS

Triatominae - The Biology of Chagas Disease Vectors

Springer

Año: 2021; p. 167 - 196

In insects, neuropeptides can act as hormones and neurotransmitters, exerting theirphysiological roles by activating membrane protein receptors. Because of their relevance in thecontrol of vital processes, the neuroendocrine system of harmful insects could be a potentialsource of targets for next-generation insecticides, in an integrated and environmentallysustainable management strategy. The study of triatomine neuroendocrinology is of interest toboth basic and applied entomology, motivating an active research field. This has been boostedin recent years by the publication of the Rhodnius prolixus genome, which allowed acomprehensive characterization of the neuropeptidergic complement, transcriptomic,proteomic and related molecular and physiological research. Even though research ontriatomine species other than R. prolixus is scarce for neuropeptides and their receptors, severalpublications have emerged in recent years. This allowed performing structural and functionalcomparisons and proposing both conserved and species-specific characteristics for thesubfamily. Here we comprehensively review the triatomine neuropeptidergic system andcompare the results obtained for the different species studied to date.