• Molecules and Cells
• /
• v.38 no.10
• /
• pp.911-917
• /
• 2015

Citronellal, a well-known plant-derived mosquito repellent, was previously reported to repel Drosophila melanogaster via olfactory pathways involving but not directly activating Transient Receptor Potential Ankyrin 1 (TRPA1). Here, we show that citronellal is a direct agonist for Drosophila and human TRPA1s (dTRPA1 and hTRPA1) as well as Anopheles gambiae TRPA1 (agTRPA1). Citronellal-induced activity is isoform-dependent for Drosophila and Anopheles gambiae TRPA1s. The recently identified dTRPA1(A) and ag-TRPA1(A) isoforms showed citronellal-provoked currents with EC50s of $1.0{\pm}0.2$ and $0.1{\pm}0.03mM$, respectively, in Xenopus oocytes, while the sensitivities of TRPA1(B)s were much inferior to those of TRPA1(A)s. Citronellal dramatically enhanced the feeding-inhibitory effect of the TRPA1 agonist N-methylmaleimide (NMM) in Drosophila at an NMM concentration that barely repels flies. Thus, citronellal can promote feeding deterrence of fruit flies through direct action on gustatory dTRPA1, revealing the first isoform-specific function for TRPA1(A).

• Korean journal of applied entomology
• /
• v.59 no.1
• /
• pp.25-35
• /
• 2020

The striped fruit fly, Zeugodacus scutellata, is endemic in Korea, but it has been regarded as one of the serious quarantine pests throughout the world. Sterile insect release technique (SIT) has been used to eradicate quarantine fruit flies. This study developed a technique to generate sterile males and applied SIT to control Z. scutellata. First of all, the reproductive systems of Z. scutellata adults were examined with fluorescent microscope. Polytrophic ovaries comprises of around 100 follicles with developing oocytes. Each follicle contains an oocyte with several nurse cells and are surrounded with follicular epithelium. Oocyte development began at 10 days after adult emergence (DAE) and formed chorionated oocytes after 20 DAE. On the other hand, male testes were well developed just after adult emergence. The vas deferens was filled with motile sperms. To generate sterile males, different doses (0~1,000 Gy) doses of electron beam were irradiated to 3~5 days old pupae of Z. scutellata. When male pupae were irradiated with electron beam at 200 Gy, they developed and mated with females without any significant difference compared to untreated males. Although the untreated females mated with the 200 Gy-irradiated males laid eggs, no eggs did not hatch. The 200 Gy-irradiated males were then applied to untreated male and female flies in a density ratio of 1:9 (untreated males : treated males). The laid eggs suffered significant infertility. These results suggest that electron beam-irradiated pupae at 200 Gy resulted in male sterility and the resulting males would be applied to SIT.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
• /
• v.56 no.1
• /
• pp.51-60
• /
• 2017

The striped fruit fly, Bactrocera scutellata, infests pumpkin flowers. Males are attracted to raspberry ketone (RK) and feed the attractant. This study was conducted to determine essential techniques to develop a male annihilation technique (MAT) of this insect pest. Effective attractants were screened in laboratory and field conditions. Both males and females were responsive to methyl eugenol (ME) in laboratory, though no flies were attracted to ME traps in field conditions. In contrast, cuelure (CL), which is a chemical derivative of RK, was effective to attract males of B. scutellata in both laboratory and field conditions. However, RK was equivalent or superior to CL when they were formulated in a form of wax dispenser. A pyrethroid insecticide along with the attractant was effective to attract and kill B. scutellata. Funnel trap was useful for MAT to confirm and count dead flies. These results indicate that MAT against B. scutellata consists of RK and bifenthrin in a wax type formulation, which is installed to a funnel type of trap. These essential factors would be useful to develop MAT applicable to control B. scutellata in fields.

• Journal of Photoscience
• /
• v.10 no.3
• /
• pp.219-223
• /
• 2003

Phloxine B (2,4,5,7-tetrabromo-4,5,6,7-tetrachlorofluorescein disodium salt), also referred as D&C red dye no. 28, is phototoxic to many insects such as Tephritidae fruit flies. Sunlight photolysis of phloxine B in aqueous solutions was a first order kinetic reaction at low concentrations. But it turned to be more complex reactions with the increase of phloxine B concentration. The half-lives of phloxine B (6-120 ${\mu}$M) were 18-41 and 52-289 hours in oxygenated and deaerated distilled water, respectively. The photolysis rate constants increased as the phloxine B concentrations increased. The singlet oxygen formation positively correlated with the concentrations of phloxine B and humic acid in oxygenated distilled water. The formation of singlet oxygen did not stop even after the complete degradation of phloxine B, which suggested an involvement of photoproduct-mediated reactions. The results showed that singlet oxygen mediated photooxidation was a dominant reaction for phloxine B dissipation in an aqueous solution, and the self-sensitized and photoproduct-mediated reactions were also involved at the higher concentrations. Iodide and bromide ions significantly decreased phloxine B photolysis rate constants, which were in relation to the decrease of singlet oxygen formation.

• International Journal of Industrial Entomology and Biomaterials
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.1-5
• /
• 2006

Cordyceps, one of the well-known traditional Chinese medicines, consists of the dried fungus C. sinensis growing on the larva of caterpillar. It is commonly used as a tonic of restoring vital body functions. In order to evaluate the pharmacological effects of C. militaris, the anti-oxidation and antiaging effect of cultured C. militaris growing on pupa of silkworm Bombyx mori, were investigated. The results showed! that the contents of lipofusin in myocardium were reduced and the SOD activity in the liver were elevated in a dose-dependent manner while no effect was observed for blood GSH-Px activity and liver MDA content in mice perfused with the cultured C. militaris compared to those untreated mice. Furthermore, the average life span, maximum life span and 50% death time of the fruit flies treated with cultured C. militaris were markedly prolonged. The results suggest that the cultured C. militaris growing on pupa of silkworm possesses anti-oxidation and delay senescence activity.

• BMB Reports
• /
• v.52 no.4
• /
• pp.250-258
• /
• 2019

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder characterized by selective and progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons. Genetic and environmental risk factors are associated with this disease. The genetic factors are composed of approximately 20 genes, such as SNCA, parkin, PTEN-induced kinase1 (pink1), leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2), ATP13A2, MAPT, VPS35, and DJ-1, whereas the environmental factors consist of oxidative stress-induced toxins such as 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1, 2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP), rotenone, and paraquat. The analyses of their functions and mechanisms have provided important insights into the disease process, which has demonstrated that these factors cause oxidative damage and mitochondrial dysfunction. The most invaluable studies have been performed using disease model organisms, such as mice, fruit flies, and worms. Among them, Drosophila melanogaster has emerged as an excellent model organism to study both environmental and genetic factors and provide insights to the pathways relevant for PD pathogenesis, facilitating development of therapeutic strategies. In this review, we have focused on the fly model organism to summarize recent progress, including pathogenesis, neuroprotective compounds, and newer approaches.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
• /
• v.34 no.5
• /
• pp.1092-1100
• /
• 2024

The global elderly population, aged 65 and over, reached approximately 10% in 2020, and this proportion is expected to continue rising. Therefore, the prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's disease (PD), which are characterized by declining memory capabilities, is anticipated to increase. In a previous study, we successfully restored the diminished memory capabilities in a fruit fly model of PD by administering an omija extract. To identify functional ingredients that can enhance memory akin to the effects of the omija extract, we conducted screenings by administering halophyte extracts to the PD model. Halophytes are plants that thrive in high-salt environments, and given Korea's geographic proximity to the sea on three sides, it serves as an optimal hub for the utilization of these plants. Upon examining the effects of the oral administration of 12 halophyte extracts, Salicornia herbacea and Calystegia soldanella emerged as potential candidates for ameliorating memory loss in PD model flies. Moreover, our findings suggested that C. soldanella, but not S. herbacea, can mitigate oxidative stress in DJ-1β mutants.

• Biomolecules & Therapeutics
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.1-10
• /
• 2006

Drug dependence deals a heavy socioeconomic burden to the society. For adolescents, the damage from drug dependence is greater than adults considering their higher susceptibility to drug effect and increasing chance for violence leading to criminal punishment process. Habitual drug use depends on genetic and environmental factors and the complex interactions between the two. Mammalian model systems have been useful in understanding the neurochemical and cellular impacts of abused drugs on specific regions of the brain, and in identifying the molecular targets of drugs. More elucidation is required whether biological effects of drugs actually cause the habitual dependence at the cellular level. Although there is much insight available on the nature of drug abuse problems, none of the systems designed to help drug dependent individuals is efficient in screening functional ingredients of the drug, and thus resulting in the failure of helping drug dependent individuals recover from drug dependence. Alternative model systems draw the attention of researchers, such as the invertebrate model systems of nematodes (Caenorhabditis elegans) and fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster). These models should provide new insight into the mechanisms leading to the behavior of drug users (even functional studies analyzing molecular mechanism), and screening useful components to help remove drug dependence among drug users. The relatively simple anatomy and gene expression of the invertebrate model systems should enable researchers to coordinate current knowledge on drug abuse. Furthermore, the invertebrate model systems should facilitate advance in experiments on the susceptibility of specific genetic backgrounds and the interaction between genetic factors to drug dependence.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Agriculture
• /
• v.40 no.2
• /
• pp.142-147
• /
• 2021

BACKGROUND: Agricultural use and pest control purposes of pesticides may lead to livestock products contamination. Thiodicarb and its degraded product, methomyl, are carbamate insecticides that protect soya bean, maize, fruit, and vegetables and control flies in animal and poultry farms. For maximum residue limit enforcement and monitoring, the JMPR residue definition of thiodicarb in animal products is the sum of thiodicarb and methomyl, expressed as methomyl. This residue definition was set to consider the fact that thiodicarb was readily degraded to methomyl in animal commodities. And therefore the simultaneous analytical method of thiodicarb and methomyl is required for monitoring in livestock products. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study was conducted using a quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) method and HPLC-MS/MS to determine the thiodicarb and methomyl in livestock products. The limit of quantitation (LOQ) was 0.01 mg/kg for livestock products, including beef, pork, chicken, milk, and egg. The coefficient of determinations (r²) for the calibration curve were > 0.99, which was acceptable values for linearity. Average recoveries at spiked levels (LOQ, 10LOQ, and 50LOQ, n=5) in triplicate ranged from 73.2% to 102.1% and relative standard deviations (RSDs) were less than 10% in all matrices. CONCLUSION: The analytical method was validated for the performance parameters (specificity, linearity, accuracy, and precision) in livestock products to be acceptable by the CODEX guidelines.

• Korean journal of applied entomology
• /
• v.58 no.2
• /
• pp.133-142
• /
• 2019

This study analyzed genetic variation of the Oriental fruit fly (OFF), Bactrocera dorsalis, which is designated to be a quarantine insect pest in Korea. OFF samples endemic to Taiwan were collected at three different locations (Taipei, Taichung, and Kaohsiung) for three days from July 30 to August 1 in 2018 and assessed in their age and mitochondrial DNA sequence variations. In these places, 1,085 OFF males were collected using methyl eugenol lure while 30 males of Zeugodacus cucurbitae and one male of Bactrocera tau were collected using Cuelure. A protein diet lure attracted 6 flies including one OFF and 5 flies of Z. cucurbitae. Male heads of OFF contained pterin, which increased in contents with age from 32 to $59{\mu}g/head$. There was a local variation in pterin amounts in OFF heads, in which Kaohsiung population had lower amounts of pterin than Taipei and Taichung populations. Genetic distance among these three populations were measured by random amplified polymorphic DNA and showed that Taipei population was separated from Taichung/Kaohsiung cluster. Genetic variation was also analyzed in sequence variations in cytochrome oxidase I (CO-I) and NADH dehydrogenase I (ND-I). There was 7.8% variation in CO-I sequence (360 residues) and 6.6% variation in ND-I sequence (213 residues). These polymorphic sites are proposed to be used to develop SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) markers characteristic to Taiwan OFF populations.