Abstract
Immunocytochemical staining of the nervous system of larva, pupa, and adult stage of Tenebrio molitor with anti-insulin serum demonstrated insulin-like peptides in the protocerebrum, corpora allata, and suboesophageal ganglion. During pupal development, marked changes in staining intensity of the protocerebral cells were detected. The staining pattern suggests release of insulin-like peptides early on day 0 and again on day 3 of the stadium. Injections of anti-insulin at these times caused significant delays in the timing of pupal/adult ecdysis. An immunoblot of haemolymph from day-3 pupae revealed a 6.5-kDa insulin-like molecule. These results suggest that the prothoracicotropic hormone of T. molitor is an insulin-like molecule.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Adachi T, Takiya S, Suzuki Y, Iwami M, Kawamaki A, Takahashi SY, Ishizaki H, Nagasawa H, Suzuki A (1989) cDNA structure and expression of bombyxin, an insulin-like brain secretory peptide of the silk moth Bombyx mori. J Biol Chem 264:7681–7685
Agui N, Bollenbacher WE, Granger NA, Gilbert LI (1980) Corpus allatum is release site for insect prothoracicotropic hormone. Nature 285:669–670
Bollenbacher WE, Gilbert LI (1981) Neuroendocrine control of postembryonic development in insects, the prothoracicotropic hormone. In: Farner DS, Lederis K (eds) Neurosecretion: molecules, cells, systems. Plenum Press, New York, pp 361–370
Bollenbacher WE, Granger N (1985) Endocrinology of prothoracicotropic hormone. In: Kerkut GA, Gilbert LI (eds) Comprehensive insect physiology, biochemistry and pharmacology. Pergamon Press, Oxford New York Toronto, pp 109–151
Bollenbacher WE, O'Brien MA, Katahira EJ, Gilbert LI (1983) A kinetic analysis of the action of the insect prothoracicotropic hormone. Mol Cell Endocrinol 32:27–46
Bollenbacher WE, Katahira EJ, O'Brien M (1984) Insect prothoracicotropic hormone: Evidence for two molecular forms. Science 224:1243–1245
Burns J (1982) The unlabelled antibody peroxidase-antiperoxidase method (PAP). In: Bullock GR, Petrusz P (eds) Techniques in immunocytochemistry, vol 1. Academic Press, London, pp 91–95
Delbecque JP, Delachambre J, Hirn N, De Reggi M (1978) Abdominal production of ecdysterone and pupal-adult development in Tenebrio molitor (Insecta, Coleoptera). Gen Comp Endocrinol 35:436–444
Delbecque JP, Weidner K, Hoffmann KH (1990) Alternative sites for ecdysteroid production in insects. Invert Reprod Develop 18:29–42
Glitho I, Delbecque JP, Delachambre J (1979) Prothoracic gland involution related to moulting hormone levels during the metamorphosis of Tenebrio molitor L. J Insect Physiol 25:187–191
Hetru C, Li KW, Bulet P, Lagueux M, Hoffmann KH (1991) Isolation and structural chracterization of an insulin-related molecule, a predominant neuropeptide from Locusta migratoria. Europ J Biochem 201:495–499
Hoyle G (1955) The effect of some common cations on neuromuscular transmission in insects. J Physiol 127:90–103
Ishizaki H, Suzuki A (1988) An insect brain peptide as a member of insulin family. Horm Metabol Res 20:426–429
Ishizaki H, Mizoguchi A, Fujishita M, Suzuki A, Moriya I, O'oka H, Kataoka H, Isogai A, Nagasawa H, Tamura S, Suzuki A (1983) Species specificity of the insect prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH): The presence of Bombyx and Samia specific PTTHs in the brain of Bombyx mori. Develop Growth Differ 25:593–600
Kataoka H, Nagasawa H, Isogai A, Tamura S, Mizuguchi A, Fujishita Y, Suzuki C, Ishizaki H, Suzuki A (1987) Isolation and partial characterization of a prothoracicotropic hormone of the silkworm Bombyx mori. Agric Biol Chem 51:1067–1076
Kataoka H, Nagasawa H, Isogai A, Ishizaki H, Suzuki A (1991) Prothoracicotropic hormone of the silkworm, Bombyx mori: Amino acid sequence and dimeric structure. Agric Biol Chem 55:73–86
Kawakami A, Kataoka H, Oka T, Mizuguchi A, Kimurakawakami M, Adachi T, Iwami M, Nagasawa H, Suzuki A, Ishizaki H (1990) Molecular cloning of the Bombyx mori prothoracicotropic hormone. Science 247:1333–1335
Morohoshi S, Shimada J (1975) The control of growth and development in Bombyx mori. Release of the brain hormone from the corpora allata through nerve axons from brain neurosecretory cells. Proc Jpn Acad 51:744–747
Nagasawa H, Kataoka H, Hori Y, Isogai A, Tamura S, Suzuki A, Guo F, Zhong X, Mizoguchi A, Fujishita M, Takahashi SY, Ohinishi E, Ishizaki H (1984) Isolation and some characterization of the prothoracicotropic hormone from Bombyx mori. Gen Comp Endocrinol 53:143–152
Sevala VM, Loughton BG (1992) Insulin-like peptides during oogenesis and embryogenesis in Locusta migratoria. Int J Invert Reprod Develop 21:187–192
Sevala VM, Sevala VL, Loughton BG, Davey KG (1992) Insulin-like immunoreactivity and moulting in Rhodnius prolixus. Gen Comp Endocrinol 86:231–238
Stellwaag-Kittler F (1954) Zur Physiologie der Käferhäutung: Untersuchungen am Mehlkäfer Tenebrio molitor L. Biol Zentralbl 73:12–49
Towbin H, Staehelin T, Gordon J (1979) Electrophoretic transfer of proteins from polyacrylamide gels to nitrocellulose sheets: procedure and some applications. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 76:4350–4354
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sevala, V.M., Sevala, V.L. & Loughton, B.G. Insulin-like molecules in the beetle Tenebrio molitor . Cell Tissue Res 273, 71–77 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00304613
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00304613