Mechanisms of Life History Evolution. The Genetics and Physiology of Life History Traits and Trade-offs

0365249 - BC 2012 RIV GB eng M - Monography Chapter
Hodková, Magdalena - Tatar, M.
Parallels in understanding the endocrine control of lifespan with the firebug Pyrrhocoris apterus and the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster.
Mechanisms of Life History Evolution. The Genetics and Physiology of Life History Traits and Trade-offs. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2011 - (Flatt, T.; Heyland, A.), s. 171-179. ISBN 978-0-19-956877-2
R&D Projects: GA ČR GA206/05/2222; GA ČR GAP502/10/1612
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z50070508
Keywords : Pyrrhocoris apterus * Drosophila melanogaster * endocrine control
Subject RIV: ED - Physiology

In many organisms reproduction is negatively correlated with lifespan. Juvenile hormone (JH) is currently considered to play a key role in the modulation of this trade-off in insects but the way it does so remains unknown. Complementary approaches in two models, the firebug P. apterus and the genetic workhorse Drosophila melanogaster, help to uncover these mechanisms. Hypothetically, JH might accelerate aging via its well-documented stimulating effect on reproduction. Combination of surgical interventions in Pyrrhocoris apterus demonstrated that egg production itself is not the mechanism by which JH accelerates aging. Yet, the genetic approach in D. melanogaster revealed that reproduction still seems to be central to the hormonal control of aging via hypothesized endocrine signals produced by the somatic gonad that are regulated by germ line stem cells.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0200534