DISSERTATION RESEARCH: The identification, RNAi knockdown and characterization of seminal fluid proteins in Tribolium castaneum

为了充分了解生殖过程，有必要更多地了解精液的许多成分。这些在昆虫中得到了特别充分的研究，其中精液蛋白（SFPs）已被证明是雄性和雌性繁殖成功的关键调节因子。本项目将对红粉甲虫（Tribiolium castaneum）中的SFPs进行鉴定，红粉甲虫是一种世界性的、具有重要经济价值的储粮害虫。利用化学和基因技术的强大结合，研究人员将确定这些精液蛋白对Tribolium繁殖成功的具体影响。一种方法是使用RNA干扰（或RNAi），在这种方法中，Tribolium将被注入与产生这些蛋白质的基因相匹配的双链RNA。利用这项技术，研究人员将能够有效地阻止含有构建每种精液蛋白的指令的mRNA的翻译。通过评估这些基因敲低的雄性的繁殖性能，这些蛋白质在决定该物种繁殖成功中的作用将被揭示。本课题具有理论和实际应用价值。通过了解精液蛋白如何影响雄性和雌性之间的相互作用，以控制雌性卵子的受精，将更好地理解在雄性和雌性共同进化中起作用的进化力量。此外，这项研究可能会揭示新的方法来帮助控制这种经济上重要的农业害虫的繁殖产量。这个项目可能会为一些本科生提供培训机会。

To fully understand the process of reproduction, it is essential to learn more about the many components of seminal fluid. These have been particularly well-studied in insects, where seminal fluid proteins (SFPs) have been demonstrated to be key regulators of the reproductive success of both males and females. This project will identify SFPs in the red flour beetle, Tribiolium castaneum, which is a worldwide, economically important pest of many different stored grains. Using a powerful combination of chemical and genetic techniques, the investigators will determine the specific effect these seminal proteins have on Tribolium reproductive success. One approach will be to use RNA interference (or RNAi), in which Tribolium will be injected with double stranded RNA that matches the genes responsible for producing those proteins. Using this technique, the investigators will be able to effectively halt the translation of the mRNA that contain the instructions to build each seminal protein. By then evaluating the reproductive performance of these knockdown males, the role these proteins play in determining the reproductive success of this species will be revealed. This project has both theoretical and practical applications. By understanding how seminal fluid proteins affect the interplay between males and females for control over the fertilization of a female's eggs, a greater understanding will be gained of the evolutionary forces at work in male and female co-evolution. Additionally, this research may reveal novel approaches to help control the reproductive output of this economically important agricultural pest. This project will likely provide training opportunities for several undergraduate students.