Phosphoramidon enhances allatostatin-mediated inhibition of juvenile hormone biosynthesis in the corpora allta of the cockroach,Diploptera punctata

Use of the enkephalinase inhibitor phosphoramidon in the in vitro radiochemical assay for juvenile hormone biosynthesis enhanced allatostatin-mediated inhibition of hormone production by corpora allata of the cockroach,Diploptera punctata. Significant increases in inhibition in day 2 virgin female CA by AST 1 (at 10^–7 M) and AST 4 (10^–8–10^–7 M) were observed in the presence of phosphoramidon (10^–5M or greater). No significant increases in inhibition were seen in CA from day 6 mated females with AST 4 (10^–9–10^–7M) and phosphoramidon combined. Phosphoramidon alone had no effect on JH biosynthesis. Analysis of allatostatin content of the CA, as determined by ELISA, revealed that addition of phosphoramidon to the medium increased the endogenous allatostatin conten in CA of virgin and mated females. The similarity in primary structure between allatostatins and enkephalin-like peptides and their similar distribution makes it probable that phosphoramidon acts by preventing breakdown of allatostatins within the CA.     

Juvenile hormone titre and regulation in the cockroach Diploptera punctata

Titres of juvenile hormone (JH) have been determined in both hemolymph and whole body extracts of female Diploptera punctata during the first gonotrophic cycle using a method employing gas chromatography/mass spectrometry for qualitative and quantitative analysis. JH III is the sole JH found in both adult and last instar D. punctata. Maximum values of approximately 1500 ng/ml (approximately 6 microM) were observed at the middle of the gonotrophic cycle, when basal oocyte growth rate was greatest. Changes in rates of JH release in vitro by corpora allata paralleled closely the changes in JH titre, suggesting that biosynthesis is a major regulator of titre. JH levels per animal were calculated from observed JH titres, and at certain time points in the gonotrophic cycle JH obtained from analysis of whole bodies were significantly greater than those predicted from hemolymph titres. These results suggest the existence of a nonhemolymph JH pool in D. punctata. Decay in JH titre after allatectomy of 5 day females has also been studied. Following a rapid initial decline, the rate of decay slowed appreciably 4 h post-operation. Thus, use of a first-order rate constant to estimate half-life of JH significantly underestimated the longevity of the hormone. The apparent persistence of JH following allatectomy may be due to the existence of a nonhemolymph JH pool.     

In vitro biosynthesis of juvenile hormone III by the corpora allata ofCalliphora vomitoria and its role in ovarian maturation and sexual receptivity

Summary JH III is the only JH detected by GLC-MS in medium from in vitro incubations of corpora allata of adult females ofCalliphora vomitoria. When corpora allata were removed from females at various times during the reproductive cycle and the JH III produced by the glands in vitro measured by a JH III radioimmunoassay, an increase in the level of synthesis was found to occur before previtellogenesis (0–24 h). A second increase appeared at the onset of vitellogenesis (72–83 h) and continued until the end of vitellogenesis (96 h) and the occurrence of chorionation (120 h). Since sexual receptivity develops with vitellogenesis, the significantly higher levels of JH III biosynthesis in vitro at this time supports a possible role for JH in the acquisitive of receptivity.     

Forced synthesis of trace amounts of juvenile hormone II from propionate by corpora allata of a juvenile hormone III-producing insect

Corpora allata of the cockroach Diploptera punctata normally synthesize only the isoprenoid juvenile hormone III (JH III). Only under extreme in vitro conditions (absence of carbon sources other than propionate) do they produce trace amounts of the homoisoprenoid JH II in addition to JH III. The specificity of the in vitro synthesis of JH III by D. punctata is thus consistent with the observed lack of homoisoprenoid JHs in this insect.     

Forced synthesis of trace amounts of juvenile hormone II from propionate by corpora allata of a juvenile hormone III-producing insect

Summary Corpora allata of the cockroachDiploptera punctata normally synthesize only the isoprenoid juvenile hormone III (JH III). Only under extreme in vitro conditions (absence of carbon sources other than propionate) do they produce trace amounts of the homoisoprenoid JH II in addition to JH III. The specificity of the in vitro synthesis of JH III byD. punctata is thus consistent with the observed lack of homoisoprenoid JHs in this insect.     

Differences in the stimulation by calcium ionophore of juvenile hormone III release from corpora allata of solitarious and gregariousLocusta migratoria

Summary Incubation of the calcium ionophore A23187 resulted in an increase in the median rate of juvenile hormone III release by corpora allata (CA) of both gregarious and solitarious adultLocusta migratoria females at 3, 5 and 8 days after fledging. At all 3 datapoints, the enhancement of release rates was highly significant for CA from gregarious females but not significant for CA from solitarious females.     

Neurosecretory control of Corpora allata activity in cockroach,Periplaneta americana L.

Summary The brain neurosecretory material is involved in the control of Corpora allata activity during post-embryonic development. A high concentration of neurosecretory material within the Corpora allata restrains the activity of the gland.     

Octopaminergic control of corpora allata activity in an insect

Summary Octopamine enhanced the release of JH3 from isolated corpora allata of locusts in short-term cultures. This effect was suppressed when phentolamine (inhibitor of the octopamine receptors) was added to the culture medium. Moreover an octopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase was found in the corpora allata. The results suggest a positive octopaminergic control on the activity of the corpora allata.     

Evidence for inhibition of corpora allata activity in workers ofBombus terrestris by a pheromone from the queen's mandibular glands

Summary Queens ofBombus terrestris inhibit the activity of worker corpora allata by means of a pheromone which is produced in their mandibular glands. Exstirpated and homogenized glands as well as an extract of the queen's body surface show the same inhibitory effect as a living unmutilated queen. The pheromone remains on the body only for 1 day after the queen has been killed. The activity of the corpora allata of workers was determined volumetrically as well as by means of a juvenile hormone synthesis in vitro assay.Acknowledgment. The work was supported by the Netherlands Organisation for the advancement of pure research, ZWO.     

Juvenile hormone degradation in brain and corpora cardiaca-corpora allata complex during the last larval instar ofGalleria mellonela (Lepidoptera,Pyralidae)

Summary Time course analysis of juvenile hormone degradation in the brain and the corpora cardiaca-corpora allata complex shows that during the first two days of the last larval instar the juvenile hormone degradation is very low. Starting from the third day up to the seventh day a continuous increase of esterase activity is observed.     

Precocene-induced collapse and resorption of corpora allata in nymphs ofLocusta migratoria

Summary Precocene II causes an irreversible regression of corpora allata in young 4th instar nymphs of the migratory locust. Within 2 h after application, the cells collapse. Cell fragments are subsequently phagocytosed by haemocytes.Acknowledgment. Thanks are due to Dr G. B. Staal of Zoecon Corporation for the gift of precocene II, and to the Department of Virology for the use of the electron microscope facilities.     

Reversible juvenile hormone inhibition of ecdysteroid and juvenile hormone synthesis by the ring gland ofDrosophila melanogaster

Juvenile hormone bisepoxide (JHB₃) and juvenile hormone III (JH III) both inhibited the in vitro production of ecdysteroids by ring glands and brain-ring gland complexes from third instar post-feeding larvae ofDrosophila melanogaster in a reversible manner, although JHB₃ had greater efficacy. The JH III and JHB₃ precursor, methyl farnesoate, did not affect ecdysteroid production. The in vitro synthesis of total detectable JH (JHB₃+JH III+methyl farnesoate) by the corpus allatum portion of the isolated ring gland was also inhibited reversibly in the presence of exogenous JHB₃ and JH III, but not by methyl farnesoate. These data indicating negative feedback are in agreement with the accepted dogma of endocrine gland regulation.     

In vivo inactivation of denervated corpora allata by precocene II in the bug,Oncopeltus fasciatus

Summary Transection of the nervous connections between the brain and the corpus allatum (CA) inOncopeltus fasciatus does not alter the susceptibility of the CA to precocene II in vivo.The authors wish to thank Patricia Ferugia for rearing the insects; Dr D. Soderlund, Department of Entomology, New York State Agricultural Experiment Station for helpful discussions; and Dr A.O. Lea, Department of Entomology, University of Georgia for technical advice. To whom reprint requests should be addressed     

Reversible juvenile hormone inhibition of ecdysteroid and juvenile hormone synthesis by the ring gland of Drosophila melanogaster

Juvenile hormone bisepoxide (JHB3) and juvenile hormone III (JH III) both inhibited the in vitro production of ecdysteroids by ring glands and brain-ring gland complexes from third instar post-feeding larvae of Drosophila melanogaster in a reversible manner, although JHB3 had greater efficacy. The JH III and JHB3 precursor, methyl farnesoate, did not affect ecdysteroid production. The in vitro synthesis of total detectable JH (JHB3 + JH III + methyl farnesoate) by the corpus allatum portion of the isolated ring gland was also inhibited reversibly in the presence of exogenous JHB3 and JH III, but not by methyl farnesoate. These data indicating negative feedback are in agreement with the accepted dogma of endocrine gland regulation.     

Head critical period and juvenile hormone titre during the last larval instar of the cockroach,Periplaneta americana

From neck ligation experiments with last instar larvae of the cockroachPeriplaneta americana it was concluded that the head critical period is reached around day 17, which corresponds to 59% of the last larval stage. At the same stage the juvenile hormone III titre in the hemolymph dropped to undectable levels.     

In vitro inactivation of corpora allata of the bugOncopeltus fasciatus by precocene II

Summary Corpora allata fromOncopeltus fasciatus incubated in vitro in medium containing 10^–5.35 M (1 g/ml) of precocene II lose their ability to secrete juvenile hormone when reimplanted into last instar larvae.Acknowledgments. We thank Mr K. Dorn, Mrs L. Dolezal, Mrs V. Nötzli-Graf, Mr K.H. Trautmann and Mr A. Schuler for technical help, Dr W. Vogel and Dr A. Dübendorfer for valuable discussions.     

Identification of in vitro release products of corpora allata in female and male loreyi leafworms,Leucania loreyi

The in vitro release of juvenile hormones (JH) by female, and of JH acids (JHA) by male corpora allata (CA) ofLeucania loreyi was identified by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Separation and quantification were accomplished by HPLC and GC, respectively. JH II and JH III were the major components released by CA of females. Four JHA analogues were identified as the release products of male CA, i.e. JHA III, Iso-JHA II, JHA II and JHA I. JHA III and Iso-JHA II were reported for the first time as the major release products of CA of adult male Lepidoptera. Iso-JHA II is a new member of the insect juvenile hormone analogue family.     

Synthesis of juvenile hormones in vitro by the corpora allata of 5th stage larva of Locusta migratoria migratorioides (R and F) (Insecta, Orthopteroida)]

Corpora allata of Locusta migratoria 5th stage larvae synthesize J.H.1, J.H.2 and J.H.3 in vitro. The C.A. of insects of different ages exbit different rates of J.H. synthesis. J.H.1 and J.H.2 synthesis is less than 1 ng/48 h/gland. During the same time the J.H.3 production may be as much as 25.6 ng/gland. J.H. synthetic activity is the same between right and left C.A. The release of J.H. from the C.A. occurs immediately following synthesis. These results are compared with in vivo haemolymphatic J.H. levels.