Regulation of Complex Behavior by Neuropeptides

神经肽对复杂行为的调节

• 批准号: 9224357
• 负责人: Marc Klowden
• 金额: $ 23.85万
• 依托单位: Regents of the University of Idaho
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 1993
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 1993-06-01 至 1997-07-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=9224357&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Regulation; Complex; Behavior; Neuropeptides

Although the insect nervous system is relatively simple, it has not prevented these animals from engaging in quite complex behaviors. One such insect behavior that has led to much human suffering is the one that allows a mosquito to find a host for a meal of blood. Using various chemical and visual signals that we humans give off, mosquitos are able to locate us and ingest our blood, and in the process transmit often deadly disease agents. Dr. Klowden is an internationally renown expert on mosquito behavior in the complex environment. He has identified times when the insect itself controls its behavior and does not seek a host. Using these periods of inaction, Dr. Klowden identified a novel FMRFamide-related neuropeptide, Aedes Head Peptide 1, that specifically inhibits host seeking behavior in the yellow fever mosquito, and prevents them from feeding on blood. Using extremely difficult technical/surgical techniques, he can begin to unravel the mechanisms by which Aedes Head Peptide 1 prevents mosquito host-seeking behavior from occurring, and how this hormone interacts with other factors. The results from these fundamental studies are likely to lead to new discoveries that will substantially impact progress in the neuroendocrinology of insects and insect behavior. In addition, basic findings derived from this research should provide essential information needed for the development of better strategies for the control of populations of mosquitoes and the diseases that they transmit via their blood-feeding activities.

虽然昆虫的神经系统相对简单，但它并没有阻止这些动物从事相当复杂的行为。昆虫的一种行为导致了人类的痛苦，那就是蚊子可以找到一个宿主来吃血。利用人类发出的各种化学和视觉信号，蚊子能够找到我们并摄取我们的血液，并在此过程中传播通常致命的疾病病原体。Klowden博士是研究蚊子在复杂环境中的行为的国际知名专家。他已经确定了昆虫自己控制自己的行为而不寻找宿主的时间。利用这些不作为的时期，Klowden博士发现了一种新的与fmrfamily相关的神经肽，即伊蚊头肽1 (Aedes Head Peptide 1)，它能特异性地抑制黄热病蚊子寻找宿主的行为，并阻止它们吸食血液。使用极其困难的技术/外科技术，他可以开始揭示伊蚊头部肽1阻止蚊子寻找宿主行为发生的机制，以及这种激素如何与其他因素相互作用。这些基础研究的结果可能会导致新的发现，这将对昆虫神经内分泌学和昆虫行为的进展产生重大影响。此外，从这项研究中得出的基本发现应提供必要的信息，以便制定更好的战略，控制蚊子种群和它们通过吸血活动传播的疾病。