Mas-allatotropin/Lom-AG-myotropin I immunostaining in the brain of the locust, Schistocerca gregaria
Cell Tissue Res. 2004-10-08; 318(2): 439-457
DOI: 10.1007/s00441-004-0913-7
Read on PubMed
1. Cell Tissue Res. 2004 Nov;318(2):439-57. Epub 2004 Oct 8.
Mas-allatotropin/Lom-AG-myotropin I immunostaining in the brain of the locust,
Schistocerca gregaria.
Homberg U(1), Brandl C, Clynen E, Schoofs L, Veenstra JA.
Author information:
(1)Fachbereich Biologie/Tierphysiologie, Universität Marburg, 35032 Marburg,
Germany.
Mas-allatotropin (Mas-AT) and Lom-accessory gland-myotropin I (Lom-AG-MTI) are
two members of a conserved family of insect neuropeptides, collectively termed
allatotropins, which have diverse functions, ranging from stimulation of juvenile
hormone secretion to myotropic effects on heart and hindgut. In addition,
allatotropins appear to be abundant within the nervous system, suggesting
neuroactive roles. To identify neurons in the insect brain suitable for a
neurophysiological analysis of the roles of allatotropins, we used antisera
against Mas-AT and Lom-AG-MTI to map allatotropin-immunoreactive neurons in the
brain of a suitable insect, the locust Schistocerca gregaria. Both antisera
revealed basically identical staining patterns throughout the locust brain with
more than 12,500 immunostained interneurons per brain hemisphere. Neurosecretory
cells were not labeled, and the retrocerebral complex was devoid of
immunostaining. Prominent immunoreactive cell types include about 9,600 lamina
monopolar neurons, medulla to lobula interneurons, local neurons of the antennal
lobe, a giant interneuron of the mushroom body, projection neurons of the
glomerular lobe to the mushroom body, and three systems of tangential neurons of
the central complex. Several groups of neurons showed colocalization of Mas-AT-
and gamma-aminobutyric acid immunostaining. Mass spectrometric analysis
identified a peptide with a molecular mass identical to Lom-AG-MTI in all major
parts of the locust brain but not in the retrocerebral complex. This study
strongly suggests that Lom-AG-MTI is highly abundant in the locust brain, and is
likely to play a neuroactive role in many brain circuits including all stages of
sensory processing, learning and memory, and higher levels of motor control.
DOI: 10.1007/s00441-004-0913-7
PMID: 15480799 [Indexed for MEDLINE]