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Localization of melanotropin-like peptides in the central nervous system of two insect species, the migratory locust,Locusta migratoria, and the fleshfly,Sarcophaga bullata

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Summary

By use of well characterized antisera in the peroxidase-antiperoxidase method, we were able to demonstrateαMSH andβMSH immunoreactive cells and nerve fibres within the nervous system of adults and larvae ofLocusta migratoria and 3-, 5- and 8-day-old adultSarcophaga bullata. In neither of these insect species, any immunoreaction was obtained with aγ 3MSH-antiserum. Double immuno-histochemical stainings revealed thatαMSH-like andβMSH-like substances are located in different cells. These cells show no immunoreactivity to a number of antisera against other POMC-derivatives (anti-βlipotropin, anti-βendorphin, anti-ACTH1–24); thus they appear to containαMSH- orβMSH-like material in a specific way. The function of the immunologically detected peptides remains to be demonstrated. The distribution of the immunoreactive material suggests that, like in amphibians and other lower vertebrates, the synthesis or release of melanotropins might be under the influence of external stimuli. The present observations support the recently developed concept that even some of the smallest neuropeptides, the melanotropins, have been highly conserved during a long period of evolution.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Zoological Institute of the University, Leuven, Belgium

    Liliane Schoofs, Peter Verhaert & Arnold De Loof

  2. Groupe de Recherche en Endocrinologie Moléculaire, UA CNRS 650, Unité Alliée à l'INSERM, Laboratoire d'Endocrinologie, Faculté des Sciences, Université de Rouen, France

    Sylvie Jégou & Hubert Vaudry

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  1. Liliane Schoofs
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  2. Sylvie Jégou
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  3. Hubert Vaudry
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  4. Peter Verhaert
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  5. Arnold De Loof
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Schoofs, L., Jégou, S., Vaudry, H. et al. Localization of melanotropin-like peptides in the central nervous system of two insect species, the migratory locust,Locusta migratoria, and the fleshfly,Sarcophaga bullata . Cell Tissue Res. 248, 25–31 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01239958

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