Regulatory Determinants of JH-esterase Activity Polymorphism

这项建议的基本目标是确定导致蟋蟀Gryllus Rubens个体产生或高或低数量的关键酶保幼激素酯酶的生理机制。高酶浓度会导致个体发育成长翅、分散的形式，而低酶浓度会导致短翅、不会飞的成虫的发育。这项研究将阐明激素调节昆虫重要发育过程的机制。由于保幼激素酯酶的产生量是由遗传决定的，因此这项研究在确定发育的激素调节的遗传方面将特别重要。此外，鲁本斯革兰氏菌的这些高酶和低酶基因在野外也是自然存在的。因此，这项研究还将确定进化是如何改变发育以产生新的表型(在这种情况下是短翼的非飞行形式)。这是目前进化中最重要但知之甚少的方面之一。最后，通过提供有关发育调控的信息，这项研究将为试图扰乱发育以控制昆虫种群的应用研究提供重要的背景信息。//

The basic goal of this proposal is to determine the physiological mechanisms that cause individuals of the cricket Gryllus rubens to produce either a high or low amount of the key enzyme juvenile hormone esterase. High enzyme concentration causes individuals to develop into a long-winged, dispersing form while low enzyme concentration causes the development of short-winged, flightless adults. This research will clarify the mechanisms by which hormones regulate important developmental processes in insects. Since amount of juvenile hormone esterase produced is genetically determined, this study will be especially important in identifying genetic aspects of the hormonal regulation of development. In addition, these high and low-enzyme genotypes of G. rubens are found naturally in the field. Thus, this study will also identify how evolution is altering development to produce a new phenotype (short-winged, non-flying form in this case). This is currently one of the most important but poorly understood aspects of evolution. Last, by providing information on the regulation of development, this study will provide important background information for applied studies that attempt to disrupt development to control insect populations. //