Properties of Na+-K+-dependent ATPase from the malpighian tubules and hindgut of Homorocoryphus nitidulus vicinus

Insect thermal tolerance: what is the role of ontogeny, ageing and senescence?

Temperature has dramatic evolutionary fitness consequences and is therefore a major factor determining the geographic distribution and abundance of ectotherms. However, the role that age might have on insect thermal tolerance is often overlooked in studies of behaviour, ecology, physiology and evolutionary biology. Here, we review the evidence for ontogenetic and ageing effects on traits of high- and low-temperature tolerance in insects and show that these effects are typically pronounced for most taxa in which data are available. We therefore argue that basal thermal tolerance and acclimation responses (i.e. phenotypic plasticity) are strongly influenced by age and/or ontogeny and may confound studies of temperature responses if unaccounted for. We outline three alternative hypotheses which can be distinguished to propose why development affects thermal tolerance in insects. At present no studies have been undertaken to directly address these options. The implications of these age-related changes in thermal biology are discussed and, most significantly, suggest that the temperature tolerance of insects should be defined within the age-demographics of a particular population or species. Although we conclude that age is a source of variation that should be carefully controlled for in thermal biology, we also suggest that it can be used as a valuable tool for testing evolutionary theories of ageing and the cellular and genetic basis of thermal tolerance.

Different ouabain sensitivities of Na+/K(+)-ATPase from Poekilocerus bufonius tissues and a possible physiological cost

1. The properties of Na+/K(+)-transporting ATPase in microsomal preparation from mid-gut of the grasshopper, Poekilocerus bufonius, were investigated and compared with the same enzyme from brain and excretory system. 2. Two components of ATPases activity are present in the three tissues studied. 3. The physiochemical properties of Na+/K(+)-transporting ATPase from mid-gut, brain and excretory system (hind-gut plus Malpighian tubules) are essentially the same. 4. The calculated values of PI50 were 2 (I50 = 1 x 10(-2) M), 3.7 (I50 = 2 x 10(-4) M) and 6.4 (I50 = 3.98 x 10(-7)) for Na+/K(+)-ATPase from mid-gut, excretory system and brain, respectively. The mid-gut contains the most ouabain-resistant Na+/K(+)-ATPase. 5. The results suggest that P. bufonius have developed some tolerance to toxic cardiac glycosides (CGS), but there is a possibility of autotoxicity as indicated by the presence of ouabain-sensitive ATPase from brain tissue. 6. It was concluded that the dissimilarities of Na+/K(+)-ATPases from different tissues of P. bufonius are probably due to tissue-dependent differences in ouabain sensitivity (or isoenzymes pattern) available in the same insect. 7. The atrophy of female flight muscle of P. bufonius suggests the possibility of physiological cost inflicted on insects consuming poisonous plants.

Some factors affecting Malpighian tubule fluid secretion and transepithelial potential in Locusta migratoria L

Both fluid secretion and transepithelial potential were stimulated by cAMP. Fluid secretion was unaffected by 5-HT over the concentration range 10(-8)-10(-4) M. The presence of ouabain in the bathing medium effected a decrease in transepithelial potential.