Wiehart U I M, Torfs P, Van Lommel A, Nicolson S W, Schoofs L
Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria 0002, South Africa.
Cell Tissue Res. 2002 Jun;308(3):421-9. doi: 10.1007/s00441-002-0552-9. Epub 2002 Apr 26.
Although the mealworm Tenebrio molitor inhabits very dry environments, it has at least two diuretic peptides, which increase fluid secretion by the free portions of the Malpighian tubules. Unlike other insect corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)-related peptides isolated to date, these are non-amidated peptides. The immunocytochemical localization of Tenmo-DH(37) was investigated using antisera raised against this hormone. Immunoreactive neurosecretory cells were found in the brain and abdominal ganglia with immunoreactive processes projecting to the peripheral nervous system. Intense staining of the neurohaemal release site, the corpora cardiaca, was observed. In addition, neurosecretory cells immunoreactive to Tenmo-DH(37) were found in the posterior midgut and a network of immunoreactive nerve processes extended over the surface of the midgut. Tenmo-DH(37) is widely distributed and its staining pattern resembles that found for other, amidated CRF-related diuretic peptides.
