Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40717121›Full record

ArticleBMC biology2025

An ovarian insulin-like peptide specifically regulates energy allocation and oocyte development in nutrition-restricted cockroaches.

Yuan Luo, Wen-Xin Hou, Shan-Shan Zhao, Yun-Long Cheng, Ke-Jia Zhang, Liang-Guan Lin, Sheng Li, Xiao-Jin Pei

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC biology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
4citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

4 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Yuan LuoGuangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology and Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China.
Wen-Xin HouGuangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology and Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China.
Shan-Shan ZhaoGuangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology and Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China.
Yun-Long ChengGuangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology and Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China.
Ke-Jia ZhangGuangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology and Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China.
Liang-Guan LinGuangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology and Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China.
Sheng LiGuangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology and Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China. lisheng@scnu.edu.cn.
Xiao-Jin PeiGuangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Insect Developmental Biology and Applied Technology and Institute of Insect Science and Technology, School of Life Sciences, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China. xiaojinpei@m.scnu.edu.cn.

Funding

China Postdoctoral Science Foundation 2024M760987Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation 2025A1515012479National Natural Science Foundation of China 32200384National Natural Science Foundation of China 32220103003
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundInsects exhibit remarkable resilience and maintain high levels of reproduction despite frequently encountering nutritional restriction. However, the mechanisms governing their adaptive reproductive strategies under nutrition-restricted conditions remain poorly understood. The German cockroach Blattella germanica, a widespread urban pest, exhibits remarkable reproductive capabilities even in domestic environments where food resources are frequently limited.

resultsIn this study, we demonstrate that the ovary plays a crucial role in promoting vitellogenin biosynthesis and oocyte development under nutrition-restricted conditions through hemiovariectomy. Employing transcriptome analysis, RNAi screening, and fluorescence in situ hybridization, we identified an ovarian-enriched insulin-like peptide gene (BgILP2) that is dramatically upregulated during low nutrition conditions. Repression of BgILP2 impairs vitellogenesis in the fat body through downregulation of p-AKT and p-ERK levels while simultaneously disrupting juvenile hormone synthesis, ultimately leading to delayed oocyte development under nutrient restriction. Furthermore, under low-nutrient conditions, repression of BgILP2 led to elevated circulating sugar levels, reduced lipid and glycogen storage, and a modest increase in the lifespan of female cockroaches.

conclusionsThe ovarian-enriched BgILP2 responds to nutritional stress and activates the insulin signaling pathway to sustain oocyte development under nutrient-restricted conditions. Furthermore, BgILP2 mediates energy allocation and prioritizes reproductive investment potentially at the expense of longevity, which reflects a tradeoff between reproduction and somatic maintenance under nutrient restriction. These findings provide novel insights into the molecular mechanisms and adaptive strategies that enable cockroaches to maintain reproductive success in food-limited environments.

Indexed as

BlattellidaeEnergy MetabolismInsect ProteinsOocytesOvaryAnimalsFemaleInsulinVitellogenesisInsect ProteinsInsulinGerman cockroachInsulin-like peptideJuvenile hormoneLifespanNutritional restrictionVitellogenesis

Identifiers

PMID40717121
PMCPMC12302788

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.