胰岛素信号通路在豌豆蚜跨代翅多型调控中的分子机制

翅多型现象是昆虫适应复杂环境的重要策略。豌豆蚜的孤雌生殖雌虫具有典型的跨代翅多型现象，其母代的种群密度是决定子代翅型比例最重要的环境因素。已有研究表明，蜕皮激素信号通路参与了种群密度升高下孤雌豌豆蚜跨代翅型转换的调控。胰岛素信号通路是昆虫控制蜕皮激素信号通路的重要途径，但是其在孤雌豌豆蚜跨代翅型转换调控中的分子功能仍有待阐明。本项目以孤雌豌豆蚜为研究对象，揭示种群密度升高下母代胰岛素信号通路ILPs（Insulin-like peptides）和IRs（Insulin receptors）对子代翅型转换调控的分子机制；在此基础上，阐明IRs下游的磷酸化信号传导途径以及FoxO（Forkhead box protein O）通过蜕皮激素信号通路调控子代翅型转换的分子机理。研究结果不仅可以在科学上为阐明昆虫跨代翅多型调控的分子机制提供实验证据，在实践方面还能为开发新型害虫防治策略提供新的思路。

Wing polyphenism plays an important role in environmental adaptation of insects. In pea aphids (Acyrthosiphon pisum), parthenogenetic females exhibit typical transgenerational wing polyphenism, in which the maternal population density is the strongest environmental cue for wing morph determination of offspring. Previous studies demonstrated ecdysone signaling pathway as a critical control mechanism underlying transgenerational wing polyphenism in A. pisum. Even though it is well known that Insulin signaling pathway controls ecdysone signaling, how Insulin signaling pathway regulate the transgenerational wing polyphenism in A. pisum has remained elusive. By using the parthenogenetic females of A. pisum, we attempt to reveal the molecular role of maternal ILPs (Insulin-like peptides) and IRs (Insulin receptors) in the regulation of wing-morph switching of offspring. Furthermore, we will examine the roles of the cascade of phosphorylation events initiated by IRs activation, as well as the FoxO (Forkhead box protein O) - mediated regulation of ecdysone signaling, in the wing-morph determination of offspring. The outcomes of this project will provide scientific insights into the molecular basis for the regulation of transgenerational wing polyphenism in insects, and offer new perspective for developing novel pest management strategies.