磷酸原激酶（PKs）在细胞能量代谢过程中起着关键作用，其中在无脊椎动物、原生动物和细菌中存在的精氨酸激酶（AKs）已成为开发新型高选择性杀虫剂的潜在靶标，但目前国内外关于昆虫精氨酸激酶的功能与表达调控机制的研究却相对滞后。本项目拟在前期研究首次发现赤拟谷盗基因组存在2种分别位于昆虫AK群1和群2的精氨酸激酶基因TcAK1和TcAK2的基础上，应用定量PCR、体外表达、RNA干扰和染色质免疫共沉淀等分子生物学技术，对TcAK1和TcAK2在赤拟谷盗不同发育阶段和组织部位的时空表达特性、TcAK1和TcAK2的酶学性质、TcAK1和TcAK2在赤拟谷盗适应逆境胁迫和生长发育过程中的作用及其表达调控的分子机制进行比较分析。研究结果对于进一步揭示昆虫AK基因的结构和功能具有重要的科学意义，同时也将为创制高选择性的杀虫剂以及利用表达AK基因dsRNAs的转基因作物控制害虫提供理论依据。

Phosphagen kinases (PKs) play key roles in cellular energy metabolism, among which arginine kinases (AKs) are widely distributed in invertebrates, protozoan, and bacteria, and have been proposed as potential molecular targets of innovative and highly selective insecticides. However, few studies have been conducted at home and abroad on the function and regulatory mechanisms for the expression of insect arginine kinase genes. Our previous studies have identified two arginine kinase genes, TcAK1 and TcAK2, in the genome of Tribolium castaneum, which belong to group 1 and group 2 insect AK families, respectively. In this project, by using real-time quantitative PCR, in vitro expression, RNA interference, Chromatin immunoprecipitation, and other molecular biology techniques, we will comparatively analyze the spatiotemporal expression patterns of TcAK1 and TcAK2 at different developmental stages and tissues, their enzyme characteristrics, the roles of TcAK1 and TcAK2 in development and response to adverse stress as well as the regulatory molecular mechanisms for the expression of TcAK1 and TcAK2. The results obtained from this project will not only assist in understanding the structure-function relationships of insect arginine kinases, but also provide important information for the development of novel insecticides as well as control of insect pests using transgenetic crops expressing dsRNAs specific to insect arginine kinase genes.