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Localization of leucomyosuppressin in the brain and circadian clock of the cockroach Leucophaea maderae

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Abstract

The myosuppressins (X1DVX2HX3FLRFamide), which reduce the frequency of insect muscle contractions, constitute a subgroup of the FMRFamide-related peptides. In the cockroach Leucophaea maderae, we have examined whether leucomyosuppressin (pQDVDHVFLRFamide) is present in the accessory medulla, viz., the circadian clock, which governs circadian locomotor activity rhythms. Antisera that specifically recognize leucomyosuppressin stain one to three neurons near the accessory medulla. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry has confirmed the presence of leucomyosuppressin in the isolated accessory medulla. Injections of 1.15 pmol leucomyosuppressin into the vicinity of the accessory medulla at various circadian times have revealed no statistically significant effects on the phase of circadian locomotor activity rhythms. This is consistent with the morphology of the myosuppressin-immunoreactive neurons, which restrict their arborizations to the circadian clock and other optic lobe neuropils. Thus, leucomyosuppressin might play a role in the circadian system other than in the control of locomotor activity rhythms.

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Acknowlegements

We thank Dr. U. Homberg for his critical reading of the manuscript and Dr. T. Reischig for his diligent and helpful advice with immunocytochemistry techniques and results.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, Animal Physiology, Philipps University Marburg, 35032, Marburg, Germany

    Sandra Söhler & Monika Stengl

  2. Department of General Zoology and Animal Physiology, Friedrich Schiller University, 07743, Jena, Germany

    Susanne Neupert & Reinhard Predel

  3. Department of Biological Chemistry, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-0606, USA

    Ruthann Nichols

Authors
  1. Sandra Söhler
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  2. Susanne Neupert
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  3. Reinhard Predel
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  4. Ruthann Nichols
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  5. Monika Stengl
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Correspondence to Monika Stengl.

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Söhler, S., Neupert, S., Predel, R. et al. Localization of leucomyosuppressin in the brain and circadian clock of the cockroach Leucophaea maderae . Cell Tissue Res 328, 443–452 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00441-006-0338-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00441-006-0338-6

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