PVKs exhibit sequence and functional conservation across arthropods:
PriVa-PVK-3 is used to investigate:
Muscle Contraction Mechanisms: Testing dose-dependent responses in insect visceral tissues .
Receptor Binding: Mapping interactions with G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in arthropods .
Silencing PVK receptors in R. microplus reduced female survival (28% mortality), egg mass weight (20–30% decrease), and egg hatching rates (15–20% decline) , highlighting PVKs as potential targets for pest control.
Structural-Activity Relationships (SAR): Limited data on PriVa-PVK-3’s binding kinetics or receptor specificity.
In Vivo Efficacy: No published studies on its effects in Princisia vanwaerbeki or related species.
Therapeutic Potential: Antagonists of PVK signaling could disrupt arthropod physiology, offering novel pest-control strategies .