Isolation of neurosecretory granules containing cytochromogenic hormone activity from the corpora cardiaca of Blaberus discoidalis cockroaches.
Neurosecretory granules (NSG) were isolated by differential centrifugation from a homogenate of the corpora cardiaca-corpora allata complex of newly emerged, adult, female Blaberus discoidalis cockroaches. By centrifuging at 11,000 g, the procedure yielded a final pellet that was enriched in small, membrane-bound vesicles (103 nm mean diameter). This pellet contained 61% of the cytochromogenic activity present in the original homogenate at an 11-fold increase in concentration. A pellet formed at 4000 g contained a mixture of mitochondria and larger NSG (146 nm mean diameter) and most of the hindgut-stimulating hormone activity. This procedure provided a quick, simple method for purifying neurosecretory granules and separating them into two categories of size and endocrine content.
D000818:Animals; D002458:Cell Fractionation / Q000379:methods; D003058:Cockroaches / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D003580:Cytochromes / Q000096:biosynthesis; D003594:Cytoplasmic Granules / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D007301:Insect Hormones / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000502:physiology; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000648:ultrastructure*
D003580:Cytochromes; D007301:Insect Hormones