The Metamorphosis in insects is a regional process hormonal that consists of a series of morphological changes And structurally that passes an organism after birth, together with physiological, biochemical and behavioral changes. There are different types of metamorphosis, depending on whether it is complete or incomplete.
Full metamorphosis
The Full metamorphosis or holometabolism is the most common. The phases of complete metamorphosis are four: egg, larva, pupa and adult or image. The changes have taken place between the larvae and the adult requires such an amount of energy that it is not possible for them to take place at the same time.
Incomplete metamorphosis
The Incomplete metamorphosis or hemimetabolism consists of three phases or phases: egg, nymph and adultBeing the state of eggs the only ones who presents anatomical and physiological differences. For their part, nymphs are very similar in various cases of incomplete metamorphosis. Hemimetabolism has about 10 % of the insects.
Insect Study
Adolescence is a period full of changes and In insects this phase corresponds to a specific phase of metamorphosis: the doll. But how does the organism have time to leave adolescence and go to the adult form?
Previous research They pointed out that the development of insects is regulated by three main genes, That action successively: Chinmo, who maintains the youth state; Wide, which makes the transition to the adolescent phase possible; And E93, which leads to adulthood.
Now, a study led by the Institute of Evolutionary Biology (IBE), a mixed center of the Higher Council for Scientific Research (CSIC) and the Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), has revealed Genetic mechanism that controls the transition from adolescence to adulthood in insects.
So far, sAnd I thought the E93 gene was the most important thing that was responsible for starting the adult phase, But research published in the magazine Pnashas shown that this process cannot start until the gene WideThat the adolescence regulates is inactive.
This discovery has been especially relevant for Understand the development of an important organ for many insects: wings. “We could say that the ‘Peter Pan’ is wide, because it induces the insect and holds in an intervening phase between the youth and the adult phase, so that the organs can develop correctly before transition to adulthood,” he explains Josefa CruzResearcher of the biology of the development and evolution of the IBE and first author of the study.
Homologous genes in people
This study not only deepens the genetic mechanism of insect metamorphosis, but can also have implications in research into human puberty and cancer. The genes Chinmo“ Wide y E93” Essential in the temporary regulation of insects development, they have homologists in people with a key role in carcinogenic processes.
While Chinmo acts as promoting cell growth, Wide and E93 function as tumor suppressors, which limits uncontrolled proliferation. “The cancer cells that form tumors are deregulated cells, which retain a more youthful and plastic identity, so that they can share quickly,” he explains Xavier -FranchMain researcher at the IBE and CO -responsible for the study.
“In general, these cells in a condition are comparable to the youth stage of insects, where the Chinmo gene benefits the accelerated growth of tissues. Instead LA puberty marks the start of cell differentiation and therefore the end of proliferation”, Franch adds.
The advance in the understanding of these genetic mechanisms opens new paths For research into cancer therapiesBased on the modulation of the division and cell differentiation processes.
Evolution of metamorphosis in insects
This discovery too could offer new perspectives on human evolution. “We humans maintain youth characteristics during adulthood, such as the form of the skull, reminiscent of children. In this sense we are the ‘Peter Pan’ of people and we understand how genes regulate cell plasticity during adolescence in other organisms can help us to better understand what defines us, ”adds Josefa Cruz.