Additional morphological and physiological heterogeneity within the midgut of larval Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) revealed by histology, electrophysiology, and effects of Bacillus thuringiensis endotoxin.
Analysis of larval Aedes aegypti midgut using scanning electron microscopy, nuclear and mitochondrial dyes, response to Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis CryIVB toxin, and electrophysiology is described. The anterior ventriculus ("stomach") region is found to have much lower mitochondrial densities than other midgut regions. The transitional region is distinguished by apical surface architecture, and by region-specific effects of CryIVB endotoxin. In this region CryIVB causes holes ranging from 1.0 to 7.0 microm in diameter (mean 3.3+/-0.53 microm, N=12), blisters 16.9+/-1.54 microm in diameter (N=10), and separation of adjacent cells. The holes are not consistent with damage due to the colloid osmotic lysis model of delta-endotoxin activity. The posterior ventriculus possesses a distinctive cellular architecture consisting of hemispherical, domed apical membranes surrounded by deep clefts. Functional and morphological heterogeneity is revealed within the posterior ventriculus, with the anterior end dominating the electrical profile of isolated, perfused preparations and showing the greatest response to serotonin. Hyperpolarization of the transepithelial potential by serotonin occurred in conjunction with a decrease in the space constant lambda, ruling out closure of ion channels as the mechanism of action of serotonin.
Clark
T M
TM
Indiana University South Bend, Department of Biological Sciences, 1700 Mishawaka Ave. P.O. Box 7111, South Bend, IN 46634-7111, USA. tclark2@iusb.edu
Hutchinson
M J
MJ
Huegel
K L
KL
Moffett
S B
SB
Moffett
D F
DF
D000200:Action Potentials / Q000187:drug effects; D000330:Aedes / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000166:cytology* / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D000083722:Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001427:Bacterial Toxins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism; D004064:Digestive System / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D004594:Electrophysiology; D004731:Endotoxins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins; D006653:Histology; D008317:Malpighian Tubules / Q000166:cytology; D008871:Microvilli / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008928:Mitochondria / Q000378:metabolism; D012701:Serotonin / Q000494:pharmacology
D000083722:Bacillus thuringiensis Toxins; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D001427:Bacterial Toxins; D004731:Endotoxins; D006460:Hemolysin Proteins; C030956:insecticidal crystal protein, Bacillus Thuringiensis; D012701:Serotonin