褪黑素及其在昆虫学研究中的展望

褪黑素是一种与光周期相关的内源激素。它在生物界分布广泛,并在复杂而漫长的生物进化过程中作为一种多功能分子保留至今。褪黑素在生物体内起着调节时间节律、免疫和抗氧化等作用,从而可使生物机体保持内环境稳定,更好地适应环境。开展昆虫褪黑素与昆虫行为发育关系的研究,尤其是分子生物学方面的研究,对进一步揭示褪黑素的生理功能具有重要的意义。作者根据近年来的相关研究及进展进行了综述。

An overview of the melatonin and its applications in entomology

Melatonin is a kind of endogenous hormone related with photoperiod, which is widely distributed in various organisms.Through a long evolutionary history, melatonin has developed many functions, such as regulating the chronobiology rhythms, immunoregulation, antioxidation, etc., by which a organism can maintain stabilization and better adapt the environment. Further researches on the relationship insect melatonin and behavior, especially at the molecular level, will play an important role in revealing the biological and biochemical functions of melatonin. This review described recent progress in this field.