Significance Insects are among the most robust organisms on planet, surviving in virtually all environments and capable of surmounting a range environmental stresses including desiccation cold. Although cold tolerance share many common traits, potential mechanisms for such linked responses remain unclear. Here we show that an insect neuropeptide gene is associated with both Drosophila melanogaster , suggesting novel mechanism renal tubule epithelia enhances survival Also, can reverse...

SUMMARY Dh, the gene that encodes a CRF-like peptide in Drosophila melanogaster, is described. The product of this 44-amino-acid (Drome-DH44) with sequence almost identical to Musca domestica and Stomoxys calcitrans diuretic hormones. There are no other similar peptides encoded within known genomic sequence. Functional studies showed deduced stimulated fluid production, effect was mediated by cyclic AMP principal cells only: there on levels either GMP or intracellular calcium. Stimulation...

The capa peptide receptor, capaR (CG14575), is a G-protein coupled receptor (GPCR) for the D. melanogaster neuropeptides, Drm-capa-1 and -2 (capa-1 -2). To date, family constitutes only known nitridergic peptides in insects, so mechanisms physiological function of ligand-receptor signalling this are interest. Capa induces calcium signaling via with EC50 values capa-1 = 3.06 nM capa-2 4.32 nM. undergoes rapid desensitization, internalization b-arrestin-2 mediated mechanism but rapidly...

Abstract Knowledge on neuropeptide receptor systems is integral to understanding animal physiology. Yet, obtaining general insight into signalling in a clade as biodiverse the insects problematic. Here we apply fluorescent analogues of three key insect neuropeptides map renal tissue architecture across systematically chosen representatives major Orders, provide an unprecedented overview function and control. In endopterygote insects, such Drosophila , two distinct transporting cell types...

Significance Endocrine control of chloride shunt conductance in Malpighian tubules many insects is mediated by kinin diuretic peptides, but the route for transport unknown. We use Drosophila transgenics, combined with physiology, imaging, electrophysiology, and transgenic reporter technology, to show that a channel (CLC) encoded ClC-a/CG31116 uniquely localized stellate cells essential neuropeptide-stimulated, not resting, levels secretion. Therefore, we have resolved this issue ; stimulates...

The exposure of insects to xenobiotics, such as insecticides, triggers a complex defence response necessary for survival. This includes the induction genes that encode key Cytochrome P450 monooxygenase detoxification enzymes. Drosophila melanogaster Malpighian (renal) tubules are critical organs in and elimination these foreign compounds, so tubule induced by dietary insecticide permethrin was examined. We found expression gene encoding P450-4e3 (Cyp4e3) is significantly up-regulated fed on...

Nephrolithiasis is a major public health problem with complex and varied etiology. Most stones are composed of calcium oxalate (CaOx), dietary excess risk factor. Because complexity mammalian system, the details stone formation remain to be understood. Here we have developed nephrolithiasis model using genetic Drosophila melanogaster, which has simple, transparent kidney tubule. Drosophilia reliably develops CaOx upon supplementation, nucleation growth microliths can viewed in real time. The...

Significance The tiny insect renal (Malpighian) tubule can transport fluid at unparalleled speed, suggesting unique specializations. Here we show that strategic allocation of major intrinsic proteins (MIPs) to specific cells within the allows separation metabolically intense active cation from passive chloride and water conductance. This specialized architecture is general least many higher insects, providing a clue success class Insecta in colonizing an extraordinary range ecological niches.

To regulate their internal environments, organisms must adapt to varying ion levels in diet. Adult Drosophila were exposed dietary salt stress, and physiological, survival, gene expression responses monitored. Insects continued feed on NaCl-elevated diet, although >4% wt/vol ultimately proved fatal. Affymetrix microarray analysis of flies fed diet containing elevated NaCl showed a phased response: the earliest response was widespread upregulation immune genes, followed by carbohydrate...

Guanosine 3'-5' cyclic monophosphate (cGMP) and adenosine (cAMP) are important regulators of cell tissue function. However, cGMP cAMP transport have received relatively limited attention, especially in model organisms where such studies can be conducted vivo. The Drosophila Malpighian (renal) tubule transports utilises these as signalling molecules. We show here via substrate competition drug inhibition that - but not requires the presence di- or tri-carboxylates; both nucleotides occurs ATP...

In D. melanogaster Malpighian (renal) tubules, the capa peptides stimulate production of nitric oxide (NO) and guanosine 3', 5'-cyclic monophosphate (cGMP), resulting in increased fluid transport. The roles NO synthase (NOS), cGMP peptide signalling were tested several other insect species medical relevance within Diptera (Aedes aegypti, Anopheles stephensi Glossina morsitans) one orthopteran out-group, Schistocerca gregaria. NOS immunoreactivity was detectable by immunocytochemistry tubules...

Nephrolithiasis is one of the most common urinary tract disorders, with majority kidney stones composed calcium oxalate (CaOx). Given its prevalence (US occurrence 10%), it still poorly understood, lacking progress in identifying new therapies because complex etiology. Drosophila melanogaster (fruitfly) a recently developed model CaOx nephrolithiasis. Effects sulfate and thiosulfate on crystal formation were investigated using model, as well electrophysiological effects both (Slc26a5/6;...

Mitochondria accumulate at sites of intense metabolic activity within cells, but the adaptive value this placement is not clear. In Drosophila, sesB encodes ubiquitous isoform adenine nucleotide translocase (ANT, mitochondrial inner membrane ATP/ADP exchanger); null alleles are lethal, whereas hypomorphic display sensitivity to a range stressors. adult renal tubule, which densely packed with mitochondria and hence enriched for sesB, both RNA interference knockdowns cause lose their highly...

Insect osmoregulation is subject to highly sophisticated endocrine control. In Drosophila, both Drosophila kinin and tyramine act on the Malpighian (renal) tubule stellate cell activate chloride shunt conductance, so increase fluid production rate. known through intracellular calcium, but mode of action not known. Here, we used a transgenically encoded GFP::apoaequorin translational fusion, targeted either principal or cells under GAL4/UAS control, demonstrate that indeed acts raise calcium...

Cyclic AMP (cAMP) is a ubiquitous second messenger that regulates variety of essential processes in diverse cell types, functioning via cAMP-dependent effectors such as protein kinase A (PKA) and/or exchange proteins directly activated by cAMP (EPAC). In an intact tissue it difficult to separate the contribution each effector particular type using genetic or pharmacological approaches alone. We, therefore, utilized optogenetics overcome difficulties associated with examining multicellular...

SUMMARY Identification of the Anopheles gambiae leucokinin gene from completed A. genome revealed that this insect species contains three peptides, named I-III. These peptides are similar to those identified in two other mosquito species, Aedes aegypti and Culex salinarius. Additionally, I displays sequence similarity Drosophila melanogaster leucokinin. Using a combination computational molecular approaches, full-length cDNA for candidate leucokinin-like receptor was isolated stephensi,...

Secretory pathway Ca 2+ /Mn -ATPases (SPCAs) are important for maintenance of cellular and Mn homeostasis, and, to date, all SPCAs have been found localize the Golgi apparatus. The single Drosophila SPCA gene ( SPoCk) was identified by an in silico screen novel -ATPases. It encoded three SPoCk isoforms with novel, distinct subcellular specificities endoplasmic reticulum (ER) peroxisomes addition Golgi. Furthermore, expression peroxisome-associated isoform sexually dimorphic. Overexpression...