This review focuses on neuropeptides and peptide hormones, the largest and most diverse
class of neuroactive substances, known in Drosophila and other animals to play roles in …

Eicosanoid is a collective term for oxygenated metabolites of C20 polyunsaturated fatty
acids. As seen in mammals, eicosanoids play crucial roles in mediating various …

Organisms have constant contact with potentially harmful agents that can compromise their
fitness. However, most of the times these agents fail to cause serious disease by virtue of the …

Exoskeletons are a defining character of all arthropods that provide physical support for their
segmented bodies and appendages as well as protection from the environment and …

Interactions between animals and microbes are ubiquitous in nature and strongly impact
animal physiology. These interactions are shaped by the host immune system, which …

Gut microbiota modulates various physiologic processes in insects, such as nutrition,
metabolic homeostasis, and pathogen exclusion. Maintaining a normal microbiome is an …

Polydnaviruses (PDVs) are obligatory symbionts with parasitoid wasps. The PDV virions are
produced solely in wasp (the primary host) calyx cells. They are injected into caterpillar …

Bursicon is a cystine knot family neuropeptide, composed of two subunits, bursicon (burs)
and partner of burs (pburs). The subunits can form heterodimers to regulate cuticle tanning …

Ecdysis or molting evolved∼ 535 mya in Ecdysozoa, the most diverse and species-rich
animal superphylum. 1 A cascade of ecdysis-related neuropeptides (ERNs) controls the …

Introduction The lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum, is an important ectoparasite known
for transmitting diseases to humans and animals. Ecdysis-related neuropeptides (ERNs) …