The effects of synthetic locust adipokinetic hormone on dispersed locust fat body cell preparations: cAMP induction, lipid mobilization, and inhibition of protein synthesis.

A procedure for the preparation of functional cells from adult locust fat bodies by collagenase treatment has been developed. The high variability of replicates encountered when whole fat bodies are incubated in vitro is greatly reduced in incubation of the dispersed cells. Synthetic locust adipokinetic hormone (AKH) (40 nM) stimulated release of lipids from the dispersed fat body cells at a rate comparable to that observed using whole fat bodies in vitro. Synthetic AKH elevated cAMP levels sixfold in dispersed cells. In addition, AKH inhibited protein synthesis to a maximum of 50-70% in a concentration-dependent manner. None of these actions of AKH required the presence of locust hemolymph components. These results demonstrate the utility of the isolated locust fat body cells for investigating hormonal action in vitro.