Abstract
BackgroundKnowledge about vitellogenesis in spiders is rudimentary. Therefore, the aim of study was to check the vitellogenin (Vg) presence in various tissues of the female spider Parasteatoda tepidariorum, determine when and where vitellogenesis starts and takes place, and the putative role of selected hormones in the vitellogenesis.ResultsHere we show two genes encoding Vg (PtVg4 and PtVg6) in the genome of the spider P. tepidariorum. One gene PtVg4 and three subunits of Vg (250 kDa, 47 kDa and 30 kDa) are expressed in the midgut glands, ovaries and hemolymph. Heterosynthesis of the Vg in the midgut glands and autosynthesis in the ovaries were observed. Vitellogenesis begins in the last nymphal stage in the midgut glands (heterosynthesis). However, after sexual maturity is reached, Vg is also synthesized in the ovaries (autosynthesis). Changes in the PtVg4 expression level and in the Vg concentration after treatment with 20-hydroxyecdysone, a juvenile hormone analog (fenoxycarb) and an antijuvenoid compound (precocene I) were observed. Therefore, we propose a hypothetical model for the hormonal regulation of vitellogenesis in P. tepidariorum.ConclusionsOur results are the first comprehensive study on spider vitellogenesis. In our opinion, this work will open discussion on the evolutionary context of possible similarities in the hormonal control of vitellogenesis between P. tepidariorum and other arthropods as well as their consequences.
Highlights
Knowledge about vitellogenesis in spiders is rudimentary
Our preliminary studies revealed the presence of genes encoding enzymes of the biosynthesis pathway of ecdysteroids and juvenile hormone and receptors of these hormones in P. tepidariorum
Identification of P. tepidariorum Vg4 (PtVg4) and PtVg6, the sex and tissue source of PtVg4 and analysis of PtVg4 expression In silico analysis of the genome of P. tepidariorum identified two genes that encode the putative vitellogenin. These sequences were identical to sequences from the NCBI Protein databases [43]
Summary
Knowledge about vitellogenesis in spiders is rudimentary. the aim of study was to check the vitellogenin (Vg) presence in various tissues of the female spider Parasteatoda tepidariorum, determine when and where vitellogenesis starts and takes place, and the putative role of selected hormones in the vitellogenesis. Vitellogenesis is one of the most important processes that enable proper and efficient reproduction in animals [1]. It consists of the synthesis and accumulation of proteins (yolk) that are the source of energy for a developing embryo in oviparous animals. The course of the vitellogenesis is well known in insects [2]. Insect vitellogenesis consists of several stages: (i) synthesis of. Essential compounds that are involved in the regulation of vitellogenesis in arthropods are: juvenile hormones, ecdysteroids and neuropeptides [8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
