Factors affecting larval growth and nutrition have consequences on adult fecundity. Since the mosquito larval midgut is the primary organ of digestion and nutrient absorption, factors that affect the growth and development of the midgut may have potential consequences on the reproductive potential of the adult. To gain a better understanding of mosquito midgut development the growth and metamor...

In the current study, we investigated 2 species of the genus Rhodiola for the inhibition of alpha-amylase,alpha-glucosidase and angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitory activity. Water extracts of Rhodiola crenulata had the highest alpha-amylase inhibitory activity (IC50,98.1 microg total phenolic /ml) followed by ethanol extract of R.crenulata (IC50, 120.9 microg total phenolic/ml) and e...

b a ckground: microbes particularly bacteria presenting in the gut of haematophagous insects may have an important role in the epidemiology of human infectious disease. m e t hods: the microbial flora of gut and surrounding environmental of a laboratory strain of phlebotomus papatasi , the main vector of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis (zcl) in the old world, was investigated. biochemical reac...

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and lysozymes are the main effectors of the insect immune system, and they are involved in both local and systemic responses. Among local responses, midgut immune reaction plays an important role in fighting pathogens that reach the insect body through the oral route, as do many microorganisms used in pest control. Under this point of view, understanding how insect...

In holometabolous insects such as mosquito, Aedes aegypti, midgut undergoes remodeling during metamorphosis. Insect metamorphosis is regulated by several hormones including juvenile hormone (JH) and 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E). The cellular and molecular events that occur during midgut remodeling were investigated by studying nuclear stained whole mounts and cross-sections of midguts and by monito...

Active electrogenic K+ transport in insects serves as the energy source for secretion or absorption in gastrointestinal epithelia or for the receptor current in sensory epithelia. In the larval midgut of the tobacco hornworm Manduca sexta, a vacuolar-type proton pump (V-ATPase) and a K+/nH+ antiport represent the functional elements of the potassium pump. Several immunological findings support ...

The larval mosquito midgut exhibits one of the highest pH values known in a biological system. While the pH inside the posterior midgut and gastric caeca ranges between 7.0 and 8.0, the pH inside the anterior midgut is close to 11.0. Alkalization is likely to involve bicarbonate/carbonate ions. These ions are produced in vivo by the enzymatic action of carbonic anhydrase. The purpose of this st...

The spectrum of Tenebrio molitor larval digestive proteinases was studied in the context of the spatial organization of protein digestion in the midgut. The pH of midgut contents increased from 5.2-5.6 to 7.8-8.2 from the anterior to the posterior. This pH gradient was reflected in the pH optima of the total proteolytic activity, 5.2 in the anterior and 9.0 in the posterior midgut. When measure...

Aqueous suspension of ethanol extracts of Derris (Lonchocarpus) urucu (Leguminosae), collected in the state of Amazonas, Brazil, were tested for larvicidal activity against the mosquito Aedes aegypti (Diptera:Culicidae). The aim of this study was to observe the alterations of peritrophic matrix in Ae. aegypti larvae treated with an aqueous suspension of D. urucu extract. Different concentration...

Bacillus thuringiensis is the most effective microbial control agent for controlling numerous species from different insect orders. The main threat for the long term use of B. thuringiensis in pest control is the ability of insects to develop resistance. Thus, the identification of insect genes involved in conferring resistance is of paramount importance. A colony of Spodoptera exigua (Lepidopt...