Cold hardiness in Ostrinia nubilalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae): glycerol content, hexose monophosphate shunt activity, and antioxidative defense system

Stanic, Bojana; Jovanovic-Galovic, Aleksandra; Blagojevic, Dusko P.; Grubor-Lajsic, Gordana; Worland, Roger; Spasic, Mihajlo B.. 2004 Cold hardiness in Ostrinia nubilalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae): glycerol content, hexose monophosphate shunt activity, and antioxidative defense system. European Journal of Entomology, 101 (3). 459-466.

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Abstract/Summary

Many insects in temperate regions overwinter in diapause, during which they are cold hardy. In these insects, one of the metabolic adaptations to the unfavorable environmental conditions is the synthesis of cryoprotectants/anhydroprotectants. The aim of this study was to investigate the connection between the antioxidative system and synthesis of cryoprotectants (mainly glycerol) in diapausing larvae of the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). At two periods during diapause (November and February), in three groups of insects (kept under field conditions; -12degreesC for two weeks; 8degreesC for two weeks), the activity of key enzymes of the antioxidative system and oxidative part of the hexose monophosphate shunt were measured: superoxide dismutase, catalase, non selenium glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase, glutathione reductase, glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase, as well that of the antioxidative components: total glutathione and ascorbate, and dehydroascorbate reductase. There was a higher activity of antioxidative enzymes at the beginning of the diapause period (November) compared to late diapause (February), while glutathione and ascorbate were higher in February. Similarly, there was a lower activity of the hexose monophosphate shunt enzymes in February. Exposure of larvae to -12degreesC resulted in an elevation of hexose monophosphate shunt enzyme activity, especially in November. This was accompanied by a significant increase in glycerol content in February. Changes in ascorbate levels and dehydroascorbate reductase activity in both experimental groups (-12degreesC and 8degreesC) suggest a connection between the antioxidative system, metabolism during diapause and cold hardiness. Our results support the notion that antioxidative defense in larvae of Ostrinia nubilalis is closely connected with metabolic changes characteristic of diapause, mechanisms of cold hardiness involved in diapause and the maintenance of a stable redox state.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Programmes:	BAS Programmes > Antarctic Science in the Global Context (2000-2005) > Life at the Edge - Stresses and Thresholds
ISSN:	1210-5759
Additional Keywords:	insects, Ostrinia nubialis, antioxidative defense system, hexose monophosphate shunt, cold hardiness; glycerol
NORA Subject Terms:	Biology and Microbiology Ecology and Environment
Date made live:	15 Mar 2012 08:32 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/12451

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