The neuropeptide SMYamide, a SIFamide paralog, is expressed by salivary gland innervating neurons in the American cockroach and likely functions as a hormone

The SMYamide genes are paralogs of the SIFamide genes and code for neuropeptides that are structurally similar to SIFamide. In the American cockroach, Periplanea americana, the SMYamide gene is specifically expressed in the SN2 neurons that innervate the salivary glands and are known to produce action potentials during feeding. The SN2 axon terminals surround rather than directly innervate the salivary gland acini. Therefore one may expect that on activation of these neurons significant amounts of SMYamide will be released into the hemolymph, thus suggesting that SMYamide may also have a hormonal function. In the Periplaneta genome there are two putative SIFamide receptors and these are both expressed not only in the central nervous system and the salivary gland, but also in the gonads and other peripheral tissues. This reinforces the hypothesis that SMYamide also has an endocrine function in this species.

PeaTAR1B: Characterization of a Second Type 1 Tyramine Receptor of the American Cockroach, Periplaneta americana

The catecholamines norepinephrine and epinephrine regulate important physiological functions in vertebrates. In insects; these neuroactive substances are functionally replaced by the phenolamines octopamine and tyramine. Phenolamines activate specific guanine nucleotide-binding (G) protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Type 1 tyramine receptors are better activated by tyramine than by octopamine. In contrast; type 2 tyramine receptors are almost exclusively activated by tyramine. Functionally; activation of type 1 tyramine receptors leads to a decrease in the intracellular concentration of cAMP ([cAMP]_i) whereas type 2 tyramine receptors can mediate Ca²⁺ signals or both Ca²⁺ signals and effects on [cAMP]_i. Here; we report that the American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) expresses a second type 1 tyramine receptor (PeaTAR1B) in addition to PeaTAR1A (previously called PeaTYR1). When heterologously expressed in flpTM cells; activation of PeaTAR1B by tyramine leads to a concentration-dependent decrease in [cAMP]_i. Its activity can be blocked by a series of established antagonists. The functional characterization of two type 1 tyramine receptors from P. americana; PeaTAR1A and PeaTAR1B; which respond to tyramine by changing cAMP levels; is a major step towards understanding the actions of tyramine in cockroach physiology and behavior; particularly in comparison to the effects of octopamine.

Cockroach GABAB receptor subtypes: molecular characterization, pharmacological properties and tissue distribution

γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the predominant inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system (CNS). Its effects are mediated by either ionotropic GABAA receptors or metabotropic GABAB receptors. GABAB receptors regulate, via Gi/o G-proteins, ion channels, and adenylyl cyclases. In humans, GABAB receptor subtypes are involved in the etiology of neurologic and psychiatric disorders. In arthropods, however, these members of the G-protein-coupled receptor family are only inadequately characterized. Interestingly, physiological data have revealed important functions of GABAB receptors in the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana. We have cloned cDNAs coding for putative GABAB receptor subtypes 1 and 2 of P. americana (PeaGB1 and PeaGB2). When both receptor proteins are co-expressed in mammalian cells, activation of the receptor heteromer with GABA leads to a dose-dependent decrease in cAMP production. The pharmacological profile differs from that of mammalian and Drosophila GABAB receptors. Western blot analyses with polyclonal antibodies have revealed the expression of PeaGB1 and PeaGB2 in the CNS of the American cockroach. In addition to the widespread distribution in the brain, PeaGB1 is expressed in salivary glands and male accessory glands. Notably, PeaGB1-like immunoreactivity has been detected in the GABAergic salivary neuron 2, suggesting that GABAB receptors act as autoreceptors in this neuron.

A novel GABAergic action mediated by functional coupling between GABAB-like receptor and two different high-conductance K+ channels in cricket Kenyon cells

The γ-aminobutyric acid type B (GABA(B)) receptor has been shown to attenuate high-voltage-activated Ca(2+) currents and enhance voltage-dependent or inwardly rectifying K(+) currents in a variety of neurons. In this study, we report a novel coupling of GABA(B)-like receptor with two different high-conductance K(+) channels, Na(+)-activated K(+) (K(Na)) channel and Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (K(Ca)) channel, in Kenyon cells isolated from the mushroom body of the cricket brain. Single-channel activities of K(Na) and K(Ca) channels in response to bath applications of GABA and the GABA(B)-specific agonist SKF97541 were recorded with the cell-attached patch configuration. The open probability (P(o)) of both K(Na) and K(Ca) channels was found to be increased by bath application of GABA, and this increase in Po was antagonized by coapplication of the GABAB antagonist CGP54626, suggesting that GABA(B)-like receptors mediate these actions. Similarly, GABA(B)-specific agonist SKF97541 increased the Po of both K(Na) and K(Ca) channels. Perforated-patch recordings using β-escin further revealed that SKF97541 increased the amplitude of the outward currents elicited by step depolarizations. Under current-clamp conditions, SKF97541 decreased the firing frequency of spontaneous action potential (AP) and changed the AP waveform. The amplitude and duration of AP were decreased, whereas the afterhyperpolarization of AP was increased. Resting membrane potential, however, was not significantly altered by SKF97541. Taken together, these results suggest that GABA(B)-like receptor is functionally coupled with both K(Na) and K(Ca) channels and this coupling mechanism may serve to prevent AP formation and limit excitatory synaptic input.

Effect of subchronic zinc toxicity on rat salivary glands and serum composition

BACKGROUND

Zinc plays an important role in a wide variety of metabolic processes in animal systems. The role of zinc in preservative treatment, fungicidal action and medicine, and addition of supplementary zinc have increased the probability of zinc toxicity, specially the chronic type. It is known that the composition and quantity of saliva influence the oral health. Regarding people's exposure to zinc in routine life and the importance of saliva, our purpose was to investigate the effects of oral zinc intoxication on secretory function in rat salivary glands and also on serum composition.

METHODS

In this study, there were five groups of female rats. Four groups received zinc acetate dehydrate through their drinking water. After 3 months of experiment, the chemical characteristics and flow rate of saliva and weight of salivary glands were determined. The effects of zinc on hematological and chemical factors of plasma were assessed too.

RESULTS

Flow rate of submandibular glands was significantly lower in experimental groups and there were significant changes in Na(+), Ca(2+) and K(+) concentration both in saliva and in plasma. The serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase, serum glutamate pyruvate transaminase, glucose levels in the plasma and urine creatinine levels were also altered in experimental groups in comparison with the control group.

CONCLUSION

Our results show that zinc toxicity will affect the quantity and quality of saliva probably through changes in the various neurologic pathways to the salivary glands or effects on acinar cells of the salivary glands. Furthermore, our results showed that zinc toxicity will affect the liver and renal function.

Two-photon microscopy and fluorescence lifetime imaging reveal stimulus-induced intracellular Na+ and Cl− changes in cockroach salivary acinar cells

The intracellular ion homeostasis in cockroach salivary acinar cells during salivation is not satisfactorily understood. This is mainly due to technical problems regarding strong tissue autofluorescence and ineffective ion concentration quantification. For minimizing these problems, we describe the successful application of two-photon (2P) microscopy partly in combination with fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) to record intracellular Na+ and Cl− concentrations ([Na+]i, [Cl−]i) in cockroach salivary acinar cells. Quantitative 2P-FLIM Cl− measurements with the dye N-(ethoxycarbonylmethyl)-6-methoxy-quinolinium bromide indicate that the resting [Cl−]i is 1.6 times above the Cl− electrochemical equilibrium but is not influenced by pharmacological inhibition of the Na+-K+-2Cl− cotransporter (NKCC) and anion exchanger using bumetanide and 4,4′-diisothiocyanatodihydrostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid disodium salt. In contrast, rapid Cl− reuptake after extracellular Cl− removal is almost totally NKCC mediated both in the absence and presence of dopamine. However, in physiological saline [Cl−]i does not change during dopamine stimulation although dopamine stimulates fluid secretion in these glands. On the other hand, dopamine causes a decrease in the sodium-binding benzofuran isophthalate tetra-ammonium salt (SBFI) fluorescence and an increase in the Sodium Green fluorescence after 2P excitation. This opposite behavior of both dyes suggests a dopamine-induced [Na+]i rise in the acinar cells, which is supported by the determined 2P-action cross sections of SBFI. The [Na+]i rise is Cl− dependent and inhibited by bumetanide. The Ca2+-ionophore ionomycin also causes a bumetanide-sensitive [Na+]i rise. We propose that a Ca2+-mediated NKCC activity in acinar peripheral cells attributable to dopamine stimulation serves for basolateral Na+ uptake during saliva secretion and that the concomitantly transported Cl− is recycled back to the bath.