Allatotropin-like peptide released by Malpighian tubules induces hindgut activity associated with diuresis in the Chagas disease vector Triatoma infestans (Klug). 2007

Maria Soledad Santini, and Jorge Rafael Ronderos
Centro Regional de Estudios Genomicos (CREG-UNLP) and Catedra Histol, Embriol, Animal (FCNyM-UNLP), La Plata, Argentina.

Haematophagous insects incorporate a large amount of blood with each meal, producing a big quantity of urine in a few hours to eliminate the excess water and Na(+). Malpighian tubules (MTs) have traditionally been seen as a system that responds to neuroendocrine stimulus. In a related paper, we demonstrated that MTs of Triatoma infestans produce an autonomous endocrine secretion of an allatotropin-like (AT-like) peptide. In the present study, we report a myostimulatory activity of AT at the level of the hindgut (HG), associated with endocrine mechanisms regulating post-prandial diuresis. Allatotropin induced an increase in frequency and intensity of peristaltic contractions at the level of the HG. The release of the HG content in MTs-HG in vitro preparations undergoing an osmotic shock occurred at different times, depending on the number of MTs present, and there was no release in treatments without MTs. The application of an AT-antiserum to MTs-HG preparations undergoing osmotic shock produced a delay or a long-term blockade of diuresis, depending on the antiserum dilution applied. Similar results were obtained when AT-antiserum was applied in vivo prior to blood intake, decreasing the volume of urine eliminated during the first 2 h. Our results allow us to assign a specific endocrine function to the AT-like peptide released by MTs that is linked to the elimination of urine after blood meals.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007301 Insect Hormones Hormones secreted by insects. They influence their growth and development. Also synthetic substances that act like insect hormones. Insect Hormone,Hormone, Insect,Hormones, Insect
D008317 Malpighian Tubules Slender tubular or hairlike excretory structures found in insects. They emerge from the alimentary canal between the mesenteron (midgut) and the proctodeum (hindgut). Malpighian Tubule,Tubule, Malpighian,Tubules, Malpighian
D009479 Neuropeptides Peptides released by NEURONS as intercellular messengers. Many neuropeptides are also hormones released by non-neuronal cells. Neuropeptide
D004231 Diuresis An increase in the excretion of URINE. (McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 6th ed) Diureses
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D014224 Triatoma A genus of the subfamily TRIATOMINAE. Several species are vectors of TRYPANOSOMA CRUZI. Triatomas
D014355 Chagas Disease Infection with the protozoan parasite TRYPANOSOMA CRUZI, a form of TRYPANOSOMIASIS endemic in Central and South America. It is named after the Brazilian physician Carlos Chagas, who discovered the parasite. Infection by the parasite (positive serologic result only) is distinguished from the clinical manifestations that develop years later, such as destruction of PARASYMPATHETIC GANGLIA; CHAGAS CARDIOMYOPATHY; and dysfunction of the ESOPHAGUS or COLON. Trypanosomiasis, South American,American Trypanosomiasis,Chagas' Disease,Trypanosoma cruzi Infection,Infection, Trypanosoma cruzi,Infections, Trypanosoma cruzi,South American Trypanosomiasis,Trypanosoma cruzi Infections,Trypanosomiasis, American
D041981 Gastrointestinal Tract Generally refers to the digestive structures stretching from the MOUTH to ANUS, but does not include the accessory glandular organs (LIVER; BILIARY TRACT; PANCREAS). Digestive Tract,GI Tract,Digestive Tracts,GI Tracts,Gastrointestinal Tracts

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