title: Differential effects of neuropeptides on the distal and mid-tubules of the house cricket.
abstract: In the Malpighian tubules of Acheta, the distal and middle segments are functionally and morphologically quite distinct (Spring and Kim, Mol Comp Physiol 12:130-145, 1993). Furthermore, they respond quite differently to corpora cardiaca (CC) homogenates, dibutyryl cAMP, and A23187 (Kim and Spring, J Insect Physiol 38:373-381, 1992). In this study we compared secretion by these two regions in response to Acheta and Romalea CC extracts, synthetic Manduca sexta diuretic peptide (Mas-DP1), and the family of synthetic myotropic peptides, the achetakinins, isolated from Acheta. Both Acheta and Romalea CC extracts had opposite effects on the two regions: mid-tubule secretion increased 3-fold whereas secretion by the distal segment declined 75-80%. Mas-DP1 increased secretion by the mid-tubule more than 3-fold and had no effect on the distal segment. All of the achetakinins decreased secretion by the distal tubule, with achetakinin 1 being least effective (55% inhibition) and achetakinin 5 being most effective (75% inhibition). Achetakinins 1 and 2 increased mid-tubule secretion by 3.7- and 3.3-fold, respectively, whereas the others had no effect on this region. Regarding HPLC fractions of CC extracts, in general the more hydrophilic fractions inhibited secretion by both distal and mid-tubules. The more hydrophobic fractions were nearly uniformly stimulatory when applied to the mid-tubule, and either inhibited secretion or had no effect on the distal region. The possible interpretations of these data and the implications towards future research are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Southwestern Louisiana, Lafayette.
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Spring
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004232:Diuretics / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D006135:Gryllidae / Q000378:metabolism*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007301:Insect Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology; D008297:Male; D008317:Malpighian Tubules / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D009479:Neuropeptides / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D004232:Diuretics; D007301:Insect Hormones; D009479:Neuropeptides; C079230:achetakinin