Neuropeptides And Invertebrate Resilience: Molecular And Physiological Adaptations To Environmental Stressors

Neuropeptide research in invertebrate physiology has rapidly advanced our understanding of how these signaling molecules orchestrate adaptive processes in response to environmental challenges. Current studies reveal that neuropeptides act as pivotal regulators not only of basic physiological functions but also of complex stress response pathways, enabling invertebrates to survive in fluctuating and often harsh conditions. Despite progress in characterizing individual neuropeptide systems across diverse species, key questions remain regarding the molecular mechanisms underlying stress resilience. Recent evidence suggests that neuropeptide signaling influences a diverse array of processes—including metabolism, neuroendocrine regulation, and behavior—yet many aspects of their evolutionary roles, signaling networks, and interplay with environmental factors remain to be fully elucidated. The growing need to understand how invertebrates adapt at the molecular level has been fueled further by concerns over climate change, pollution, and habitat loss.This Research Topic aims to advance fundamental knowledge of how neuropeptides mediate resilience to environmental stressors in invertebrates. The main goal is to investigate the molecular, physiological, and behavioral mechanisms underlying neuropeptide action in response to temperature extremes, salinity changes, toxins, hypoxia, and other stress factors. Through the integration of cutting-edge molecular biology techniques—such as genomics, proteomics, CRISPR-based gene editing, and transcriptomics—this topic seeks to clarify how neuropeptide signaling networks shape adaptive strategies, facilitate stress tolerance, and contribute to evolutionary fitness. Another key aim is to link discoveries at the cellular and molecular levels to broader ecological and conservation implications, by elucidating how neuropeptide-mediated adaptations support biodiversity amid environmental change.To gather further insights within the boundaries of molecular, physiological, and ecological adaptation, we welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:o Molecular and evolutionary origins of neuropeptides in invertebrateso Neuropeptidergic regulation of stress response networkso Signal transduction pathways integrating neuropeptides and environmental cueso Genomic, proteomic, and transcriptomic mapping of stress-related neuropeptide circuitso Functional analysis of gene or peptide knockouts (e.g., via CRISPR/Cas9) in stress adaptationo Comparative studies exploring species-specific or environment-specific neuropeptide roleso Metabolic, neuroendocrine, and behavioral adaptations mediated by neuropeptideso Impacts of neuropeptide signaling on ecological resilience, conservation, and responses to climate change Topic editors: Klaus H. Hoffmann, Shunhua Gui Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/82246/neuropeptides-and-invertebrate-resilience-molecular-and-physiological-adaptations-to-environmental-stressors