Vertebrate insulin alters the expression profile of steroid hormone ecdysone receptor complex components and autophagy-related genes in the pupal fat body of the silkworm, Bombyx mori

Various studies have shown that the insulin-like peptides present in insects and investigation of their possible effects on insect physiology have significance for clarifying the evolutionary developmental period of insulin. The insect fat body is an organ analog to vertebrate adipose tissue and liver. In insects which do not have feeding activity during pupal and adult stages such as Bombyx mori, substances and energy required for continuation of life and development of tissues and organs are provided by the fat body via the autophagy process.