Bilaterally projecting neurones in pregenital abdominal ganglia of the locust: anatomy and peripheral targets

On the origin of grasshopper oviposition behavior: structural homology in pregenital and genital motor systems

In female grasshoppers, oviposition is a highly specialized behavior involving a rhythm-generating neural circuit, the oviposition central pattern generator, unusual abdominal appendages, and dedicated muscles. This study of Schistocerca americana (Drury) grasshoppers was undertaken to determine whether the simpler pregenital abdominal segments, which do not contain ovipositor appendages, share common features with the genital segment, suggesting a roadmap for the genesis of oviposition behavior. Our study revealed that although 5 of the standard pregenital body wall muscles were missing in the female genital segment, homologous lateral nerves were, indeed, present and served 4 ovipositor muscles. Retrograde labeling of the corresponding pregenital nerve branches in male and female grasshoppers revealed motor neurons, dorsal unpaired median neurons, and common inhibitor neurons which appear to be structural homologues of those filled from ovipositor muscles. Some pregenital motor neurons displayed pronounced contralateral neurites; in contrast, some ovipositor motor neurons were exclusively ipsilateral. Strong evidence of structural homology was also obtained for pregenital and ovipositor skeletal muscles supplied by the identified neurons and of the pregenital and ovipositor skeletons. For example, transient embryonic segmental appendages were maintained in the female genital segments, giving rise to ovipositor valves, but were lost in pregenital abdominal segments. Significant proportional differences in sternal apodemes and plates were observed, which partially obscure the similarities between the pregenital and genital skeletons. Other changes in reorganization included genital muscles that displayed adult hypertrophy, 1 genital muscle that appeared to represent 2 fused pregenital muscles, and the insertion points of 2 ovipositor muscles that appeared to have been relocated. Together, the comparisons support the idea that the oviposition behavior of genital segments is built upon a homologous, segmentally iterated motor infrastructure located in the pregenital abdomen of male and female grasshoppers.

Octopamine--a single modulator with double action on the heart of two insect species (Apis mellifera macedonica and Bactrocera oleae): Acceleration vs. inhibition

The effects of octopamine, the main cardioacceleratory transmitter in insects, were investigated, in the isolated hearts of the honeybee, Apis mellifera macedonica, and the olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae. Octopamine induced a biphasic effect on the frequency and force of cardiac contractions acting as an agonist, with a strong acceleratory effect, at concentrations higher than 10(-12)M for the honeybee and higher than 50×10(-9)M for the olive fruit fly. The heart of the honeybee is far more sensitive than the heart of olive fruit fly. This unusual sensitivity is extended to the blockers of octopaminergic receptors, where phentolamine at 10(-5)M stopped the spontaneous contractions of the honeybee heart completely and permanently, while the same blocker at the same concentration caused only 50% inhibition in the heart of the olive fruit fly. Phentolamine and mianserin at low concentrations of 10(-7)M also blocked the heart octopaminergic receptors, but for a short period of time, of less than 15.0 min, while a partial recovery in heart contraction started in spite of the presence of the antagonist. The unusual response of the honeybee heart in the presence of phentolamine and/or mianserin suggests excitatory effects of octopamine via two different receptor subtypes. At lower concentrations, 10(-14)M, the agonist octopamine was converted to an antagonist, inducing a hyperpolarization in the membrane potential of the honeybee cardiac pacemaker cells and inhibiting the firing rate of the heart. The inhibitory effects of octopamine on certain parameters of the rhythmic bursts of the heart of the honeybee, were similar to those of mianserin and phentolamine, typical blockers of octopaminergic receptors. The heart of the olive fruit fly was 10(5) times less sensitive to octopamine, since a persistent inhibition of heart contractions occurred at 10(-9)M. In conclusion, the acceleration of the insect heart is achieved by increasing the levels of octopamine, while there is a passive but also an active decrease in heart activity due to the minimization of octopamine.

Nitric oxide: a co-modulator of efferent peptidergic neurosecretory cells including a unique octopaminergic neurone innervating locust heart

Our findings suggest that nitric oxide (NO) acts as peripheral neuromodulator in locusts, in which it is commonly co-localized with RF-like peptide in neurosecretory cells. We also present the first evidence for NO as a cardio-regulator in insects. Putative NO-producing neurones were detected in locust pre-genital free abdominal ganglia by NADPH-diaphorase histochemistry and with an antibody against NO synthase (NOS). With both methods, we identified the same 14 somata in each examined ganglion: two dorsal posterior midline somata; six ventral posterior midline somata; and three pairs of lateral somata. A combination of NOS-detection methods with nerve tracing and transmitter immunocytochemistry revealed that at least 12 of these cells were efferent, of which four were identified as peptidergic neurosecretory cells with an antiserum detecting RFamide-like peptides. One of the latter was unequivocally identified as an octopaminergic dorsal unpaired median (DUM) neurone, which specifically projected to the heart ("DUM-heart"). Its peripheral projections revealed by axon tracing appeared as a meshwork of varicose endings encapsulating the heart. NOS-like immunoreactive profiles were found in the heart nerve. NO donors caused a dose-dependent increase in heart rate. This cardio-excitatory effect was negatively correlated to resting heart rate and seemed to be dependent on the physiological state of the animal. Hence, NO released from neurones such as the rhythmically active DUM-heart might exert continuous control over the heart. Possible mechanisms for the actions of NO on the heart and interactions with other neuromodulators co-localized in the DUM-heart neurone (octopamine, taurine, RF-amide-like peptide) are discussed.

Octopamine immunoreactive cell populations in the locust thoracic-abdominal nervous system

We describe octopamine-immunoreactive somata and their projections in the pro- meso-, meta- and pregenital abdominal-ganglia of locusts. Immunoreactive midline somata were identified as dorsal- and ventral- unpaired median (DUM- and VUM-, respectively) neurones due to their: characteristic large size and positions of somata, primary neurites in DUM-tracts giving rise to T-junctions, and bilaterally projecting axons. In the prothoracic ganglion there are most likely 8 such cells; in the meso- and metathoracic, some 20 each; and in each individual pregenital abdominal ganglion, typically 3. All appear to project to peripheral nerves and their numbers correspond to the number of peripherally projecting DUM-cells identified to date in each ganglion. We suggest that probably all peripherally projecting DUM-cells are octopaminergic in the examined ganglia. Presumptive DUM-interneurones are not octopamine-immunoreactive, but, confirming other studies, are shown to label with an antiserum to gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA). Other octopamine-immunoreactive neurones include a pair of midline, prothoracic, anterior medial cells, not necessarily DUM-cells, and a pair of ventral lateral somata in each thoracic- and the first abdominal ganglion. The latter project intersegmentally in ventral tracts. Intersegmentally projecting octopamine-immunoreactive fibers in dorsal tracts probably arise from a prothoracic DUM-cell, which leaves through suboesophageal nerves, or descending suboesophageal DUM-cells. Thus, the octopamine-immunoreactive system of thoracic and pregenital abdominal ganglia in locust comprises all peripherally projecting DUM-cells and a plurisegmental network.

The distribution of putative nitric oxide releasing neurones in the locust abdominal nervous system: a comparison of NADPHd histochemistry and NOS-immunocytochemistry

Nitric oxide is well established as a signalling molecule in the nervous system of vertebrates and invertebrates. In this study we evaluate the usefulness of NADPHdiaphorase histochemistry and immunocytochemistry for detecting the presence of nitric oxide synthase in locusts. We describe the distribution of putative nitric oxide releasing neurones and stained neuropiles in the locust ventral nerve cord, in particular the abdominal ganglia and abdominal neuromeres. NADPHdiaphorase histochemistry revealed prominent staining in all neuropilar regions and a specific distribution pattern of stained cell bodies in all examined ganglia. Nitric oxide synthase immunocytochemistry, using a commercially available universal antibody, labelled cells in corresponding positions within the ganglia. This was confirmed by double labelling of alternate sections. Western blot analysis demonstrated that in locusts this universal NOS-antibody binds to a protein of similar size to nitric oxide synthase identified in other insect species. The antibody also labelled axons in most peripheral nerves of all examined ganglia, whereas NADPHdiaphorase histochemistry only revealed such stained fibres within peripheral nerves in some preparations, because they may have been masked by intense background staining. We therefore conclude that nitric oxide synthase-immunocytochemistry and NADPHd histochemistry are both good markers for the presence of nitric oxide synthase in the locust ventral nerve cord, and that nitric oxide may be used as a signalling molecule by efferent neurones in locusts.

An evolutionary treatment of the morphology and physiology of circulatory organs in insects

An overview from an evolutionary perspective is presented on the research of the past 2 decades on insect circulatory organs. Based on various functional morphology it is clear that the flow mode of the dorsal vessel ('heart') has changed during the evolution of hexapods. In all apterygotes and mayflies the flow is bidirectional. In most pterygote insects, however, it is unidirectional. In some endopterygote insects, the direction of the flow alternates. This is achieved by heartbeat reversal, which may have various physiological functions and is a derived condition that probably occurred several times during the course of insect evolution. Special attention is given to the hemolymph flow in body appendages. In ancestral hexapods, they are supplied by arteries, whereas circulation in appendages of higher insects is accomplished by accessory pulsatile organs. These auxiliary hearts are autonomous pumps and exhibit a great diversity in their functional morphology. They represent evolutionary innovations which evolved by recruitment of building blocks from various organ systems and were assembled into new functional units. Almost all pulsatile circulatory organs in insects investigated exhibit a myogenic automatism with a superimposed neuronal control. The neuroanatomy of insect circulatory organs has been investigated only in a small number of species but in considerable detail. Numerous potential peptidergic and a few aminergic mediators could be demonstrated by immunocytochemical and biochemical methods. The cardiotropic effectiveness of these mediators may vary among species and it can be stated that there is no uniform picture of the control of the various circulatory organs in insects. A possible explanation for the differences may lie in the different evolutionary origins of the muscular components. Furthermore, insect circulatory organs may represent important neurohemal releasing sites.

Maturation of muscle properties and its hormonal control in an adult insect

The oviposition of female locusts requires longitudinal muscles to tolerate remarkable lengthening. Whether this ability together with concomitant properties develops during maturation or is present throughout life was investigated. The properties of the locust abdominal muscles involved in oviposition behaviour were investigated with respect to their maturation, segment- and gender-specificity and regulation by juvenile hormone (JH). Muscles from the sixth abdominal segment (an oviposition segment) of mature females (>18 days old) were able to tolerate large extensions (>8 mm). At this length, muscles were still able to generate considerable neurally evoked twitch tension. In contrast, muscle fibres from females less than 5 days old did not tolerate extension of more than 4 mm. At this length, tension generation was negligible. The maximum tension generated at different stimulus frequencies was significantly higher in muscles of females more than 18 days old than in females less than 5 days old. Furthermore, the cross-sectional area of muscle fibres increased significantly during reproductive development. Current-clamp recordings from denervated muscle fibres of females more than 18 days old revealed their ability to generate overshooting action potentials. The potentials were tetrodotoxin (TTX)-insensitive (0.5 μmol l–1 TTX), but were blocked by Cd2+ (50 μmol l–1) or nifedipine (50 μmol l–1), which suggests the involvement of L-type Ca2+ channels. Action potentials recorded from females less than 5 days old differed considerably in amplitude and shape from those recorded from females more than 18 days old, suggesting their maturation during the first 2 weeks of adult life. Inactivation of the corpora allata (CA) by precocene inhibited the maturation of these muscle properties, whereas injection of JH into precocene-treated females reversed this effect. Homologous muscles from the third abdominal segment (a non-oviposition segment, M169) and muscles from males (M214) revealed no comparable changes, although some minor changes occurred during reproductive development. The results suggest a gender- and segment-specific maturation of muscle properties that is related to reproductive behaviour and controlled by JH.

Non-synaptic ion channels in insects--basic properties of currents and their modulation in neurons and skeletal muscles

Insects are favoured objects for studying information processing in restricted neuronal networks, e.g. motor pattern generation or sensory perception. The analysis of the underlying processes requires knowledge of the electrical properties of the cells involved. These properties are determined by the expression pattern of ionic channels and by the regulation of their function, e.g. by neuromodulators. We here review the presently available knowledge on insect non-synaptic ion channels and ionic currents in neurons and skeletal muscles. The first part of this article covers genetic and structural informations, the localization of channels, their electrophysiological and pharmacological properties, and known effects of second messengers and modulators such as neuropeptides or biogenic amines. In a second part we describe in detail modulation of ionic currents in three particularly well investigated preparations, i.e. Drosophila photoreceptor, cockroach DUM (dorsal unpaired median) neuron and locust jumping muscle. Ion channel structures are almost exclusively known for the fruitfly Drosophila, and most of the information on their function has also been obtained in this animal, mainly based on mutational analysis and investigation of heterologously expressed channels. Now the entire genome of Drosophila has been sequenced, it seems almost completely known which types of channel genes--and how many of them--exist in this animal. There is much knowledge of the various types of channels formed by 6-transmembrane--spanning segments (6TM channels) including those where four 6TM domains are joined within one large protein (e.g. classical Na+ channel). In comparison, two TM channels and 4TM (or tandem) channels so far have hardly been explored. There are, however, various well characterized ionic conductances, e.g. for Ca2+, Cl- or K+, in other insect preparations for which the channels are not yet known. In some of the larger insects, i.e. bee, cockroach, locust and moth, rather detailed information has been established on the role of ionic currents in certain physiological or behavioural contexts. On the whole, however, knowledge of non-synaptic ion channels in such insects is still fragmentary. Modulation of ion currents usually involves activation of more or less elaborate signal transduction cascades. The three detailed examples for modulation presented in the second part indicate, amongst other things, that one type of modulator usually leads to concerted changes of several ion currents and that the effects of different modulators in one type of cell may overlap. Modulators participate in the adaptive changes of the various cells responsible for different physiological or behavioural states. Further study of their effects on the single cell level should help to understand how small sets of cells cooperate in order to produce the appropriate output.

Digger wasp versus cricket: mechanisms underlying the total paralysis caused by the predator's venom

The data presented here describe neurophysiological experiments addressing the question of cellular mechanisms underlying the total paralysis of locomotor behavior in crickets occurring after being stung by females of the digger wasp species Liris niger. The Liris venom effects have been studied by both in vivo recordings from identified neurons of the well-described giant fiber pathway and in vitro recordings from cultured neurons isolated from the terminal ganglion of crickets. The total paralysis of the prey is characterized by a general block of action potential generation as well as by a block of synaptic transmission. Intracellular recordings from neurons in intact ganglia under single electrode voltage-clamp conditions, as well as whole-cell patch-clamp recordings from cultured cricket neurons consistently show that the block of action potential generation by the Liris venom is due to a block of voltage-gated sodium inward currents in neurons of the stung ganglia. Furthermore, our data provide evidence that the Liris venom also blocks calcium currents in identified neurosecretory neurons. On the other hand, outward currents are not affected by the Liris venom. The in vitro recordings suggest that the Liris venom contains active venom components, which, at least for the observed block of inward currents, do not require a metabolic modification. Because venom application does not affect the ACh-induced EPSPs in giant interneurons, the Liris venom does not seem to influence the postsynaptic ACh receptors. The possible pre- and postsynaptic sites of venom action and the functional consequences on synaptic transmission within the giant fiber system are discussed.

The role of internal pressure and muscle activation during locust oviposition

The oviposition of female locusts is a complex behaviour that includes a dramatic extension of the abdomen. The role of internal pressure during oviposition was investigated by monitoring the intra-tracheal pressure and the activity of selected longitudinal muscles, while movements of the abdomen were visualised with a video imaging system. Locust oviposition consists of a sequence of four distinct phases: (i) probing the substrate and digging without elongation of the abdomen, (ii) longitudinal extension of the abdomen up to four times its normal length, (iii) laying packages of eggs while (iv) gradually withdrawing the abdomen. During extension, neurograms and myograms of selected longitudinal muscles revealed a decreased level of activity. When the abdomen retracted to its normal length, muscle activity re-appeared. In phases two and three, rising internal pressure prevented the abdomen from slipping back when the valves released their lateral grip from the substrate. Locking the genital segments in the hole by relative bending kept the abdomen in place when producing foam or laying eggs. Intra-abdominal pressure, therefore, is not the main cause of abdominal extension, but rather maintains extension when no mechanical locking in the hole prevents the abdomen from elastic retraction.

Efferent neurons and specialization of abdominal segments in grasshoppers

A specialized behavior, oviposition, is produced by the eighth and ninth abdominal segments of female grasshoppers. To begin to understand how these segments produce the behavior, which is not displayed by males or pregenital regions of the abdomen in females, the structure and function of efferent neurons in abdominal ganglia of both sexes were examined. In females, the eighth and ninth segments are specialized differently for oviposition: 20 ovipositor motor neurons were found in the eighth segment, and 26 were found in the ninth segment. Males had fewer motor neurons in their eighth segment, but the same number in the ninth segment, which is the only genital segment in males. However, the axons of several of the ninth segmental male motor neurons traveled to the periphery in the genital nerve, which is only found in males. In both sexes, pregenital ganglia had the most motor neurons, but these neurons, for the most part, had morphologies that strongly resembled those of genital segments. Efferent modulatory neuron numbers were not sexually dimorphic in the segments examined, except that males had a greater number in their ninth segment. Experimental methods that activate oviposition were found to also activate a rhythmical motor pattern in pregenital abdominal segments of both sexes. In females, the pattern was phase-coupled to oviposition, but persisted after the connections with the terminal abdominal ganglion were severed. The preponderance of similarities among efferent neurons and elicited motor activity suggests a common pattern of neural circuitry in the behaviorally diverse abdominal segments of grasshoppers.

Maps of the somata of efferent neurones with axons in the lateral nerves of locust abdominal ganglia

We used the cobalt-backfilling method to map the somata of neurones with axons that project in the two paired lateral nerves of the abdominal neuromeres of the locust Schistocerca gregaria with the objective of expanding and bringing together the incomplete and scattered information on these efferent neurones. We compared somata sizes and positions, and the pathways of primary neurites, with information from previous studies on individual, or groups of, abdominal neurones and we identify many of the somata we mapped. The stained somata belong to paired motor neurones and paired neurosecretory neurones, to unpaired neuromodulatory neurones (dorsal unpaired median, DUM, neurones) and unpaired bilaterally projecting neurones. In different neuromeres, the total number of somata with axons in these lateral nerves ranges from 73 to 106. Within an individual segmental neuromere, approximately 25 % of the somata belong to neurones with axons in nerve 1 (N1) and 35 % to those with axons in nerve 2 (N2) of that segment, while the remaining 40 % belong to neurones with axons in N1 of the next posterior segment. This basic pattern is repeated in all abdominal neuromeres, with differences in the percentages depending on whether the neuromeres are pregenital fused, pregenital unfused or genital. Nerve 1 contains the axons of 26–37 neurones with central somata in different neuromeres, of which 40 % are in the segmental neuromere and 60 % in the next anterior neuromere. In the segmental neuromere, 15 % of somata are ipsilateral to the nerve, 30 % are at the midline and 55 % are contralateral, whereas in the next anterior neuromere, 70 % are ipsilateral, 10 % are at the midline and 20 % are contralateral. Nerve 2 contains the axons of 11–28 neurones in different neuromeres, all of which have somata in the same segmental neuromere from which the nerve projects. Of these, approximately 70 % are ipsilateral, 30 % at the midline and none contralateral, except for the first abdominal and eighth male abdominal neuromeres, where one and two somata, respectively, are contralateral.

Peripheral distribution of presynaptic sites of abdominal motor and modulatory neurons in Manduca sexta larvae

Insect muscle fibers are commonly innervated by multiple motor neurons and efferent unpaired median (UM) neurons. The role of UM neurons in the modulation rather than rapid activation of muscle contraction (Evans and O'Shea [1977] Nature 270:257-259) suggests that their terminal varicosities may differ structurally and functionally from the presynaptic terminals of motor neurons. Furthermore, differences in the characteristics of UM neuron terminal varicosities may be correlated with functional differences among their diverse target muscles. Larval abdominal body wall muscles in the hawkmoth, Manduca sexta, consist of large, elongated fibers that are multiterminally innervated by one and occasionally two motor neurons (Levine and Truman [1985] J. Neurosci. 5:2424-2431). The fibers are also innervated by one of two efferent UM neurons that bifurcate to innervate targets on both sides of the abdomen (Pflüger et al. [1993] J. Comp. Neurol. 335:508-522). In this study, the intracellular tracer biocytin was used to identify the targets of the UM neurons and to distinguish their terminal axonal varicosities on the muscle fibers. An antiserum to the synaptic vesicle protein, synaptotagmin, was used to label synaptic vesicles, and the styryl dye FM1-43 was used to demonstrate release and recycling. Most of the abdominal muscles in a given hemisegment were found to be supplied by one of the two UM neurons. Terminal varicosities of the excitatory motor neurons were large (3-7 pm) and were found in rows of rosettes that extended to every aspect of the muscle fiber; these varicosities were designated as type I terminals. The UM neuron terminal varicosities also occupied every aspect of the fiber but were smaller (1-3 microm) and more separated from each other; these were designated as type II terminals. Both type I and type II terminals are synaptotagmin immunoreactive and, as shown by FM1-43 staining, are sites of synaptic vesicle recycling. The excitatory motor neuron terminals (type I) could easily be loaded and unloaded with FM1-43, which indicates their capacity for repeated vesicular exocytosis and recycling. In contrast, the dye could not as readily be unloaded from UM neuron terminals (type II), which may indicate that they have a slower turnover of synaptic vesicles.

Suboesophageal DUM neurons innervate the principal neuropiles of the locust brain

The morphology of the dorsal unpaired median (DUM ) neurons of the suboesophageal ganglion (SOG) of the migratory locust, Locusta migratoria , were studied by using intracellular staining. The SOG lacks segmental DUM neurons with peripheral axons. All DUM neurons are either intersegmentally projecting (towards the brain or the thoracic nerve cord) or they are local. In addition to previously described DUM neurons with axons in peripheral nerves of the brain (Bräunig 1990), the SOG contains DUM neurons which, in the brain, innervate principal neuropile areas such as the antennal lobes, the pedunculi and calyces of the mushroom body, and the central complex. The number and location of DUM cell bodies stained with intracellular fills is compared with those obtained with either backfilling cervical or circumoesophageal connectives, or octopamine-immunocytochemistry. Additional experiments show that the locust brain, like the SOG, lacks both segmental DUM neurons with peripheral axons, and axons descending into the ventral nerve cord.

Anatomy and targets of Dorsal Unpaired Median neurones in the Terminal Abdominal Ganglion of the male cockroach Periplaneta americana L

The morphology of the Dorsal Unpaired Median (DUM) neurones in the Terminal Abdominal Ganglion (TAG) of the adult male cockroach Periplaneta americana were described based on wholemount preparations and paraffin sections and by using anterograde and retrograde cobalt mapping, octopamine-like immunohistochemistry, and double immunofluorescence technique with both conjugated gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and octopamine antisera. Among 60 +/- 6 neurones with large somata (diameter 40 to 60 microns) on the dorsal midline surface of the TAG that were stained with toluidine blue, about 36 efferent DUM neurones exhibited octopamine-like immunoreactivity. The DUM neurones were arranged in three clusters (anterior, median and posterior) corresponding to the 7th-11th abdominal ganglia of the fused TAG. Anterior efferent DUM neurones with one, two, and four pairs of lateral neurites entered segmental nerves VIIB; VIIB and phallic nerves; IXB and phallic nerves; VIIIA, IXA, X, and IX, respectively. Three octopamine-like immunoreactive DUM neurones innervating heart chambers via segmental nerves (VIIA, VIIIA, and IXA) in the last abdominal segments occurred within abdominal ganglia 7, 8, and 9. Together with octopamine-like immunoreactive efferent DUM neurones, GABA-like immunoreactive dorsal midline neurones with small somata (10 to 20 microns) also occurred within the median group. The spatial distribution of DUM neurones in the TAG suggested that they had their origins in the median neuroblast, as for DUM neurones in the grasshopper.

GABA and glutamate-like immunoreactivity at synapses received by dorsal unpaired median neurones in the abdominal nerve cord of the locust

Dorsal unpaired median (DUM) neurones in the abdominal ganglia of the locust were impaled with microelectrodes and some were injected intracellularly with horseradish peroxidase so that their synapses could be identified in the electron microscope. Simultaneous recordings from DUM neurones in different abdominal ganglia revealed that they received common postsynaptic potentials from descending interneurones. Post-embedding immunocytochemistry using antibodies against GABA and glutamate was carried out on ganglia containing HRP-stained neurones. GABA-like immunoreactivity was found in 39% (n = 82) of processes presynaptic to abdominal DUM neurones and glutamate-like immunoreactivity in 21% (n = 42) of presynaptic processes. Output synapses from the DUM neurites were rarely observed within the neuropile. Structures resembling presynaptic dense bars but not associated with synaptic vesicles, were seen in some large diameter neurites.

Localization of octopaminergic neurones in insects

This paper reviews data on the localization of octopaminergic neurons revealed by immunocytochemistry in insects, primarily the locusts Schistocerca gregaria and Locusta migratoria, cricket Gryllus bimaculatus, and cockroach Periplaneta americana. Supporting evidence for their octopaminergic nature is mentioned where available. In orthopteran ventral ganglia, the major classes of octopamine-like immunoreactive (-LI) neurones include: (1) efferent dorsal and ventral unpaired median (DUM, VUM) neurones; (2) several intersegmentally projecting DUM interneurones in the suboesophageal ganglion; other DUM interneurones are probably GABAergic; (3) a pair of anterior median cells in the prothoracic ganglion; (4) a single pair of ventral cells in most thoracic and some other ganglia; these appear to be plurisegmentally projecting interneurones. Eight categories of octopamine-LI neurones occur in the orthopteran brain. The basic projections of three types are described here: one class project to the optic lobes to form wide field projections. Another type descends to cross into the tritocerebral commissure and may invade the contralateral brain hemisphere. A further class is the median neurosecretory cells with axons in the nervi corpori cardiaci I. Available data for the honey bee Apis mellifera and moth Manduca sexta indicate that the octopamine-LI cell types found in orthopterans also occur in holometabolous insects. Immunocytochemical evidence suggests that some octopaminergic DUM cells contain an FMRFamide-related peptide and the amino acid taurine as putative cotransmitters.

Neurons projecting from the brain to the corpora allata in orthopteroid insects: anatomy and physiology

Retrograde and orthograde labeling of neurons projecting to the corpus allatum was performed in locust, grasshopper, cricket, and cockroach species in order to identify brain neurons that may be involved in the regulation of juvenile hormone production. In the acridid grasshopper Gomphocerus rufus L., and the locusts Locusta migratoria (R.&F.) and Schistocerca gregaria Forskal, the corpora allata are innervated by two morphologically distinguishable types of brain neurons. One group of 9-13 neurons (depending on species) with somata in the pars lateralis extend axons via the nervus corporis cardiaci 2 and nervus corporis allati 1 to the ipsilateral corpus allatum, whereas two cells in each pars lateralis have bilateral projections and innervate both glands. No direct connection between the pars intercerebralis and corpus allatum has been found. In contrast, neurons with paired axons innervating both glands are not present in Periplaneta americana (L.) and Gryllus bimaculatus de Geer. Instead, two cells in each pars lateralis project only to the gland contralateral to their somata. Electrophysiological experiments on acridid grasshoppers have confirmed the existence of a direct conduction pathway between the two glands via the paired axons of four cells that have been identified by neuroanatomy. These cells are not spontaneously active under experimental conditions. Ongoing discharges in the left and right nerves are unrelated, suggesting that the corpora allata receive independent neuronal inputs from the brain.

Colocalization of octopamine and FMRFamide related peptide in identified heart projecting (DUM) neurones in the locust revealed by immunocytochemistry

Immunocytochemical techniques are employed to reveal colocalization of octopamine with FMRFamide related peptide in the locust ventral nervous system. In each unfused pregenital abdominal ganglia (A4-A6) there are 3 octopamine-like immunoreactive neurones. By combining intracellular Lucifer yellow staining with subsequent immunocytochemistry these are individually identified as the efferent dorsal unpaired median (DUM) neurones DUM-1 and DUM-2, which innervate abdominal tergal and respectively sternal skeletal muscles, and DUM heart-1, an FMRFamide-like immunoreactive neurone which projects to the heart and associated alary muscles. Colocalization of octopamine- and FMRFamide-like immunoreactivity in DUM heart-1 is verified by alternate staining of consecutive sections. With respect to locust ventral ganglia, this investigation shows that colocalization of octopamine with an FMRFamide related peptide is restricted to a single DUM cell occurring in each abdominal ganglion 2-7, which most likely corresponds to segmental homologues of DUM heart-1.

A new specific antibody reveals octopamine-like immunoreactivity in cockroach ventral nerve cord

An antiserum was raised in rabbits immunized with octopamine conjugated to thyroglobulin. The specificity of this antiserum for octopamine is shown by dot blot immunoassay analysis. The antiserum does not crossreact with dopamine, noradrenaline, and serotonin, but slight crossreactivity with the amine tyramine at high concentrations was observed. The tyramine crossreactivity could be eliminated by preabsorption with a tyramine-glutaraldehyde-BSA conjugate. Using this antiserum, we describe the topographical distribution of octopamine-immunoreactive (ir) neuronal elements in wholemounts and paraffin sections of the ventral nerve cord of the American cockroach. The pattern of octopamine immunostaining is completely different from that obtained with an antidopamine serum, and can be blocked by preabsorbing the antioctopamine serum with BSA-conjugated octopamine. Cell bodies and dendritic processes of putatively octopaminergic dorsal (DUM) and ventral (VUM) unpaired median neurons were clearly octopamine-ir in all ganglia examined. The numbers of stained DUM somata in the mesothoracic, metathoracic, and terminal ganglion of females correspond to those of peripherally projecting DUM cells revealed previously by retrograde tracing (Gregory, Philos Trans R Soc Lond [Biol] 306:191, 1984; Tanaka and Washio, Comp Biochem Physiol 91A:37, 1988; Stoya et al., Zool Jb Physiol 93:75, 1989). In addition, various, previously unknown, paired cells with octopamine-like immunoreactivity were found in all ventral ganglia except abdominal ganglia 3-6. Some of these probably project intersegmentally.

Octopamine-immunoreactive neurons in the central nervous system of the cricket, Gryllus bimaculatus

The distribution of octopamine-immunoreactive neurons is described using whole-mount preparations of all central ganglia of the cricket, Gryllus bimaculatus. Up to 160 octopamine-immunoreactive somata were mapped per animal. Medial unpaired octopamine-immunoreactive neurons occur in all but the cerebral ganglia and show segment-specific differences in number. The position and form of these cells are in accordance with well-known, segmentally-organized clusters of large dorsal and ventral unpaired medial neurons demonstrated by other techniques. In addition, bilaterally arranged groups of immunoreactive somata have been labelled in the cerebral, suboesophageal and terminal ganglia. A detailed histological description of octopamine-immunoreactive elements in the prothoracic ganglion is given. Octopamine-immunoreactive somata and axons correspond to the different dorsal unpaired medial cell types identified by intracellular single-cell staining. In the prothoracic ganglion, all efferent neurons whose primary neurites are found in the fibre bundle of dorsal unpaired cells are immunoreactive. Intersegmental octopamine-immunoreactive neurons are also present. Collaterals originating from dorsal intersegmental fibres terminate in different neuropils and fibre tracts. Fine varicose fibres have been located in several fibre tracts, motor and sensory neuropils. Peripheral varicose octopamine-immunoreactive fibres found on several nerves are discussed in terms of possible neurohemal releasing sites for octopamine.

An identified dorsal unpaired median neurone and bilaterally projecting neurones exhibiting bovine pancreatic polypeptide-like/FMRFamide-like immunoreactivity in abdominal ganglia of the migratory locust

Three antisera were used to study the distribution and anatomy of bovine pancreatic polypeptide (BPP)-like/FMRFamide-like immunoreactive neurones within the unfused abdominal ganglia of the migratory locust, Locusta migratoria. All the antisera used stained two or more clusters of perikarya, localized anteriorly and posteriorly near the midline within each unfused abdominal ganglion. Double labelling experiments with intracellular dye injection, or differential backfilling, combined with subsequent immunostaining were carried out to identify these neurones. Two of the antisera (antisera 1 and 2, both raised against FMRFamide) stained three groups of midline neurones, located anterior dorsal, anterior ventral and posterior dorsal within the ganglion. Neurones of the former of these two clusters projected via the anterior median nerve to a neurohaemal organ. The posterior cluster of midline cells comprised immunopositive perikarya all but one of which also projected via the anterior median nerve to innervate the neurohaemal organ. Double labelling with Lucifer yellow and antisera 1 and 2 showed that the remaining neurone was the previously identified dorsal unpaired median (DUM)heart 1 neurone. The third antiserum (AK141), also raised against FMRFamide, stained neurones within an anterior dorsal cluster, and in a posterior cluster. Double labelling with differential Co2+/Ni(2+)-backfilling and the antiserum 3 (AK141) demonstrated that the large neurones of both clusters belonged to the population of bilaterally projecting neurones (BPNs), including the DUMheart1 neurone. Since the antisera cross-react with BPP and fail to label neurones when preadsorped with BPP or FMRFamide, we conclude that the labelled neurones contain polypeptides of the FMRFamide/BPP-family.