scholarly journals Learning Spatial Aversion Is Sensory-Specific in the Hematophagous Insect Rhodnius prolixus

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Minoli ◽  
Agustina Cano ◽  
Gina Pontes ◽  
Amorina Magallanes ◽  
Nahuel Roldán ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rhodnius Prolixus ◽  
Hematophagous Insect

Serotonin triggers cAMP and PKA-mediated intracellular calcium waves in Malpighian tubules of Rhodnius prolixus

2014 ◽  
Vol 307 (7) ◽  
pp. R828-R836 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula Gioino ◽  
Brendan G. Murray ◽  
Juan P. Ianowski
Keyword(s):  
Second Messenger ◽  
Fluid Secretion ◽  
Rhodnius Prolixus ◽  
Malpighian Tubules ◽  
Insect Vector ◽  
Excess Water ◽  
Intracellular Ca ◽  
Single Meal ◽  
Hematophagous Insect

Rhodnius prolixus is a hematophagous insect vector of Chagas disease capable of ingesting up to 10 times its unfed body weight in blood in a single meal. The excess water and ions ingested with the meal are expelled through a rapid postprandial diuresis driven by the Malpighian tubules. Diuresis is triggered by at least two diuretic hormones, a CRF-related peptide and serotonin, which were traditionally believed to trigger cAMP as an intracellular second messenger. Recently, calcium has been suggested to act as a second messenger in serotonin-stimulated Malpighian tubules. Thus, we tested the role of calcium in serotonin-stimulated Malpighian tubules from R. prolixus. Our results show that serotonin triggers cAMP-mediated intracellular Ca2+ waves that were blocked by incubation in Ca2+-free saline containing the cell membrane-permeant Ca2+ chelator BAPTA-AM, or the PKA blocker H-89. Treatment with 8-Br-cAMP triggered Ca2+ waves that were blocked by H-89 and BAPTA-AM. Analysis of the secreted fluid in BAPTA-AM-treated tubules showed a 75% reduction in fluid secretion rate with increased K+ concentration, reduced Na+ concentration. Taken together, the results indicate that serotonin triggers cAMP and PKA-mediated Ca2+ waves that are required for maximal ion transport rate.

scholarly journals Transovarial transmission of a core virome in the Chagas disease vector Rhodnius prolixus

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (8) ◽  
pp. e1009780
Author(s):  
Tarcísio Fontenele de Brito ◽  
Vitor Lima Coelho ◽  
Maira Arruda Cardoso ◽  
Ingrid Alexandre de Abreu Brito ◽  
Mateus Antonio Berni ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chagas Disease ◽  
Rhodnius Prolixus ◽  
Triatoma Infestans ◽  
Transovarial Transmission ◽  
Persistent Infections ◽  
Complex Core ◽  
Primary Vector ◽  
First Time ◽  
Paralysis Virus ◽  
Hematophagous Insect

Triatomine assassin bugs comprise hematophagous insect vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease. Although the microbiome of these species has been investigated to some extent, only one virus infecting Triatoma infestans has been identified to date. Here, we describe for the first time seven (+) single-strand RNA viruses (RpV1-7) infecting Rhodnius prolixus, a primary vector of Chagas disease in Central and South America. We show that the RpVs belong to the Iflaviridae, Permutotetraviridae and Solemoviridae and are vertically transmitted from the mothers to the progeny via transovarial transmission. Consistent with this, all the RpVs, except RpV2 that is related to the entomopathogenic Slow bee paralysis virus, established persistent infections in our R. prolixus colony. Furthermore, we show that R. prolixus ovaries express 22-nucleotide viral siRNAs (vsiRNAs), but not viral piRNAs, that originate from the processing of dsRNA intermediates during viral replication of the RpVs. Interestingly, the permutotetraviruses and sobemoviruses display shared pools of vsiRNAs that might provide the basis for a cross-immunity system. The vsiRNAs are maternally deposited in the eggs, where they likely contribute to reduce the viral load and protect the developing embryos. Our results unveil for the first time a complex core virome in R. prolixus and begin to shed light on the RNAi-based antiviral defenses in triatomines.

The Dermal Glands of Rhodnius Prolixus

1969 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
pp. 258-259
Author(s):  
J. E. Lai-Fook
Keyword(s):  
Fine Structure ◽  
Secretory Activity ◽  
Rhodnius Prolixus ◽  
Outermost Layer ◽  
Cement Layer ◽  
Dermal Glands

Dermal glands are epidermal derivatives which are reported to secrete either the cement layer, which is the outermost layer of the epicuticle or some component of the moulting fluid which digests the endocuticle. The secretions do not show well-defined staining reactions and therefore they have not been positively identified. This has contributed to another difficulty, namely, that of determining the time of secretory activity. This description of the fine structure of the developing glands in Rhodnius was undertaken to determine the time of activity, with a view to investigating their function.

Ultrastructural Characterization of Malpighian Tubules of Rhodnius prolixus During the Insect's Feeding Cycle and Under Hyperosmotic Shock

2020 ◽  
Vol 129 (2) ◽  
pp. 189
Author(s):  
Jacenir Reis dos Santos-Mallet ◽  
Simone Patrícia Carneiro Freitas ◽  
Maria Luiza Ribeiro de Oliveira ◽  
Alice Helena Ricardo-Silva ◽  
Aníbal Gil Lopes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rhodnius Prolixus ◽  
Malpighian Tubules ◽  
Hyperosmotic Shock ◽  
Ultrastructural Characterization ◽  
Feeding Cycle

Análisis genómico y molecular de la embriogénesis de Rhodnius prolixus (Stähl, 1859) (Hemíptera, Reduviidae): implicancias morfológico-evolutivas en insectos

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Lucía Elena Pagola
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Rhodnius Prolixus

Todos los animales que poseen simetría bilateral se encuentran definidos por dos ejes de simetría ortogonales, el eje anteroposterior (A-P) que corre de la boca al ano y un eje perpendicular a este, el eje dorsoventral (D-V). A pesar de la gran variedad de modos de desarrollo embrionario y formas finales encontradas en los animales, las redes regulatorias y factores de transcripción que dan origen a estos ejes se encuentran muy conservados. De aquí surge una pregunta central, cómo estas redes regulatorias tan conservadas crean tanta diversidad morfológica, se adaptan a nuevos ambientes y de qué manera las novedades evolutivas se incorporan en un sistema de patronamiento ya establecido. El eje DV es un buen sistema de estudio ya que se conoce en detalle en Drosophila melanogaster pero no en otros insectos. Los insectos además presentan una gran variedad de especies y modos de desarrollo embrionario lo que nos permite estudiar de qué manera las redes regulatorias se adaptan a novedades evolutivas y la existencia de varias técnicas que permiten testear el funcionamiento de los genes y sus interacciones. En este contexto hemos utilizado a Rhodnius prolixus como modelo para el estudio del establecimiento del eje DV en un embrión de banda germinal intermedia donde al final del desarrollo el embrión posee la misma forma que el adulto. Hemos estudiado en detalle el desarrollo embrionario de R. prolixus para una mejor comprensión de los patrones de expresión de los genes estudiados y su función. Además, se han buscado y anotado varios genes envueltos en la formación del eje DV: toll, dorsal, decapentaplegic, zerknült, twist y zelda. Mostraremos el patrón de expresión y los fenotipos resultado de ARNi parental de toll, dpp y dorsal, los cuales representan puntos clave en la regulación de la cascada D-V.

A new feeding technique for experimental and routine culturing of the insect Rhodnius prolixus

1994 ◽  
Vol 72 (12) ◽  
pp. 2244-2247 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erwin Huebner ◽  
Rene Harrison ◽  
Karen Yeow
Keyword(s):  
Cost Effective ◽  
Rhodnius Prolixus ◽  
Wire Mesh ◽  
Artificial Membrane ◽  
Egg Hatchability ◽  
Rabbit Blood ◽  
Adult Females ◽  
Feeding Technique ◽  
Heat Sealing ◽  
Membrane Envelope

We report a method for artificially feeding the reduviid insect Rhodnius prolixus that utilizes heparinized rabbit blood enclosed in an artificial-membrane envelope. Envelopes of Parafilm M® or Nescofilm® are made by heat sealing two pieces, one of which is stretched first, on three sides. Blood is then put into the envelope, the air expelled, and the fourth side sealed with a bag sealer. The blood-filled envelopes are then placed on a standard slide warmer set at 37 °C and insects in jars with wire-mesh tops are allowed to feed. Normal gorging and subsequent molting of instars were attained. Adult females show normal fecundity (the E value was 0.19 for mated females) and egg hatchability was also normal. The method is simple, cost effective, and easy to implement. It is especially suited for experimental feedings.

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