JHSIGNAL · Modulation of juvenile hormone signaling by receptor phosphorylation
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2017-01-01 → 2018-12-31
- EU contribution
- €154,721
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF-EF-RI
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
Modulation of juvenile hormone signaling by receptor phosphorylation
H2020-MSCA-IF-2015-RI-708832 JHSIGNAL Project Title: Modulation of juvenile hormone signaling by receptor phosphorylation Juvenile hormones (JHs) govern many aspects of insect and related arthropod development and reproduction. Species relying on regulation by JH range from beneficial pollinators to agricultural pests and disease vectors. Thorough understanding of JH signaling is therefore essential for development of targeted JH-based insecticides, a direct benefit to the society. The intracellular JH receptor has been identified only recently and its actions are still poorly understood. Current evidence suggests that activity of JH receptor is modulated by JH-induced phosphorylation. The main research objective of this MSCA project was to identify the phosphorylation target sites of JH receptor and to determine their significance for its function. An equally important objective of this Fellowship was to facilitate a full reintegration of the Fellow, an erudite biochemist with 20 years of experience from top-ranking US institutions, back into Czech and European science environment. Conclusions of the action: We believe that the project has fully achieved its objectives and milestones for the period yielding new and important findings described below. The Marie Curie program is an excellent and unique opportunity for researches at various stages of their career, and we only hope that similar platforms will be available in future.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
Juvenile hormones (JHs) are lipophilic signals of vital importance to insects and related arthropods, representing the most successful group of animals on our planet. Among species relying on regulation by JH are beneficial pollinators and crustaceans, as well as agricultural pests and disease vectors. Manipulation of JH signaling is a good target for insecticide control. Therefore, knowledge of JH signaling is important both for fundamental science and for practical use. The intracellular JH receptor has been identified, largely through work in the host laboratory, but its action is still poorly understood. Current evidence suggests that activity of this JH receptor is modulated by JH-induced phosphorylation. The objective of this proposal is to identify the phosphorylation target sites and to determine their significance for the JH receptor function. To achieve this goal, the status of amino acid residues potentially phosphorylated in response to JH will be determined using mass spectrometry of the JH receptor protein expressed in insect cell lines. The key residues will be mutated either to prevent phosphorylation or to mimic a constitutively phosphorylated state, and the mutant receptors will be examined for capacity to bind JH, induce JH-response genes, and sustain normal insect development in vivo. The approach thus ranges from protein biochemistry through cell-based assays to developmental genetics employing the Drosophila model. The goals are achievable through the combined expertise of the Applicant, extensively trained in protein chemistry and molecular biology at the top-ranking US universities, and the host laboratory of Dr. Marek Jindra, who is among the leaders in insect developmental endocrinology and JH research in particular. This project will enable the Applicant to fully expand her potential and learn insect developmental genetics while permanently integrating to European science.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- BIOLOGICKE CENTRUM AV CR VVI · Ceske BudejoviceCoordinatorCzechia
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union