Juvenile hormone regulation of male accessory gland activity in the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum

Male accessory gland proteins (Acps) act as key modulators of reproductive success in insects by influencing the female reproductive physiology and behavior. We used custom microarrays and identified 112 genes that were highly expressed in male accessory glands (MAG) in the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum. Out of these 112 identified genes, 59 of them contained sequences coding for signal peptide and cleavage site and the remaining 53 contained transmembrane domains. The expression of 14 of these genes in the MAG but not in other tissues of male or female was confirmed by quantitative real-time PCR. In virgin males, juvenile hormone (JH) levels increased from second day post adult emergence (PAE), remained high on third day PAE and declined on fourth day PAE. The ecdysteroid titers were high soon after adult emergence but declined to minimal levels from 1 to 5 days PAE. Feeding of juvenile hormone analog, hydroprene, but not the ecdysteroid analog, RH-2485, showed an increase in size of MAGs, as well as an increase in total RNA and protein content of MAG. Hydroprene treatment also increased the expression of Acp genes in the MAG. RNAi-mediated knock-down in the expression of JHAMT gene decreased the size of MAGs and expression of Acps. JH deficiency influenced male reproductive fitness as evidenced by a less vigor in mating behavior, poor sperm transfer, low egg and the progeny production by females mated with the JH deficient males. These data suggest a critical role for JH in the regulation of male reproduction especially through MAG secretions.     

Role of juvenile hormone and allatotropin on nutrient allocation, ovarian development and survivorship in mosquitoes

Teneral reserves are utilized to initiate previtellogenic ovarian development in mosquitoes. Females having emerged with low teneral reserves have reduced juvenile hormone (JH) synthesis and previtellogenic development. We investigated what role JH, allatotropin (AT) and other head-factors play in the regulation of previtellogenic ovarian development and adult survivorship. Factors from the head are essential for corpora allata (CA) activation and reproductive maturation. We have shown that decapitation of females within 9-12h after adult ecdysis prevented normal development of the previtellogenic follicles; however maximum previtellogenic ovarian development could be induced in decapitated females by topically applying a JH analog. When females were decapitated 12 or more hours after emergence nutritional resources had been committed to ovarian development and survivorship was significantly reduced. To study if allatotropin levels correlated with teneral reserves, we measured AT titers in the heads of two adult phenotypes (large and small females) generated by raising larvae under different nutritional diets. In large mosquitoes AT levels increased to a maximum of 45 fmol in day 4; in contrast, the levels of allatotropin in the heads of small mosquitoes remained below 9 fmol during the 7 days evaluated. These results suggest that only when nutrients are appropriate, factors released from the brain induce the CA to synthesize enough JH to activate reproductive maturation.     

The influence of drone physical condition on the likelihood of receiving vibration signals from worker honey bees, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Apis mellifera</Emphasis>

Honey bee workers will perform vibration signals on adult drones, which respond by increasing the time spent receiving trophallaxis. Because trophallaxis provides the proteins for sexual maturation, workers could direct vibration signals towards drones showing certain physical characteristics, potentially influencing drone development and colony reproductive output. We examined the influence of drone condition on the likelihood of receiving vibration signals by comparing body weight, protein concentrations, and hemolymph juvenile hormone (JH) titers between drones that received the vibration signal and same-age, non-vibrated controls. Vibrated and control drones did not differ in total body weight, abdomen weight, abdomen-to-body weight ratio, total protein concentrations, or hemolymph JH titers. In contrast, vibrated drones had significantly lower thorax weight and smaller thorax-to-body weight ratios compared with controls. Because relative thorax weight may affect flight ability and mating success, workers could use the vibration signal to increase the care received by less developed drones, potentially contributing to the production of greater numbers of competitive males. However, the differences in thorax weights, while significant, were very small, and it is unknown how such slight differences might be assessed by workers or affect drone performance. Nevertheless, vibration signals performed on drones may provide opportunities for exploring the effect of the quality of reproductive individuals on caste interactions in honey bees.     

密林熊蜂雄性成蜂生殖系统发育动态

为了研究密林熊蜂Bombus patagiatus Nylander雄蜂出房后生殖系统发育变化过程, 本研究首次对密林熊蜂雄性成蜂（1-15日龄）生殖系统的精液量、 精子数、 性腺大小、 储精囊大小等进行了测定。结果显示： 雄性成蜂在1日龄时精液量最大, 达到5.95±0.39 μL; 镜检精子数在2日龄最多; 而精液中活动精子数出现波浪式的循环趋势, 9日龄达到最大值, 为25.93±1.06个; 精液中精子总数在9日龄达到最大值, 为160.67±17.11万个; 活动精子百分比以8、 9日龄最高, 分别达到86.38%±2.02%及86.45%±2.50%; 性腺长度在1日龄时最小, 为1 522.01±37.93 μm; 储精囊的中部宽度在7日龄最宽, 达86.38±2.96 μm, 但与9日龄相比无显著差异。由此可见, 8-9日龄雄性成蜂个体各指标较为稳定, 该日龄即为雄性成蜂性成熟且可以交配的时期。本研究结果为密林熊蜂人工繁育提供了理论依据。     

Juvenile hormone titre and egg production in Tenebrio molitor infected by Hymenolepis diminuta: effect of male and/or female infection,male age and mating

Infection of Tenebrio molitor with Hymenolepis diminuta induces curtailment of female fertility. We examined ovulation and oviposition, and associated titres of juvenile hormone (JH), in relation to parasitism and mating. Oviposition was significantly increased in infected mated and virgin beetles by days 6 and 9 post-emergence. Ovulation was not changed by infection; by the end of the 18-day experiment, the total number of laid eggs was not significantly altered. On day 6, JH levels were significantly higher in virgin infected insects, compared to non-infected controls (236+/-37.7 and 107+/-9.62 pg/g wet weight). Oviposition increased after mating, but total eggs ovulated remained the same. JH levels were higher in mated females on days 12 and 18 post-emergence, for infected and control insects. Previous studies suggested that male reproductive potential might rise following infection, because uninfected females lay more eggs when mated to infected males. We tested whether this caused an increase in female JH. Males were mated on days 5 or 12, when significant changes in their reproductive physiology begin to be observed, and are maximal, respectively. However, male age was of greater significance in promoting JH levels in females (p=0.001), than infection status of either partner (p=0.33).     

Glycogen in honeybee queens,workers and drones (Apis mellifera carnica Pollm.)

Honey bees (Apis mellifera carnica Pollm.) have low glycogen reserves in summer. Upon emergence drones have significantly larger amounts per unit weight when emerging, than workers; perhaps as adaption to the risk of not being fed as intensely as young workers. Maximum content was 0.23mg for workers (28d), and 0.59mg for drones (after emergence). Workers have relatively constant glycogen contents during their life, and very young drones have more glycogen than older ones. Young queens are similar to workers. In workers and queens in summer the greatest amounts of glycogen are found in the thorax. When the bees start flying (6th-8th day of life), drones have the highest amounts in the head (probably to supply their eyes), and upon maturity, drones have the least glycogen in the abdomen.Workers in winter show different glycogen values depending on whether they are active bees from the core area (0.23mg) or inactive ones from the outer surface of the winter cluster (0.37mg). They use glycogen from the thorax and the abdomen for their ongoing energy need.     

Nutrient limitation results in juvenile hormone-mediated resorption of previtellogenic ovarian follicles in mosquitoes

Juvenile hormone (JH) is a central hormonal regulator of previtellogenic development in female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. JH levels are low at eclosion and increase during the first day after adult emergence. This initial rise in JH is essential for female reproductive maturation. After previtellogenic maturation is complete, the mosquito enters a ‘state-of-arrest’ during which JH synthesis continues at a slower pace and further ovary development is repressed until a blood meal is taken. By examining the relationships between juvenile hormone, follicular resorption and nutrition in A. aegypti, we were able to define a critical role of JH during the previtellogenic resting stage. The rate of follicular resorption in resting stage mosquitoes is dependent on nutritional quality. Feeding water alone caused the rate of follicular resorption to reach over 20% by day 7 after emergence. Conversely, feeding a 20% sucrose solution caused resorption to remain below 5% during the entire experimental period. Mosquitoes fed 3% sucrose show rates of resorption intermediate between water and 20% sucrose and only reached 10% by day 7 after emergence. Follicular resorption is related to JH levels. Ligated abdomens separated from a source of JH (the corpora allata) showed an increase in resorption comparable to similarly aged starved mosquitoes (16%). Resorption in ligated abdomens was reduced to 6% by application of methoprene. The application of methoprene was also sufficient to prevent resorption in intact mosquitoes starved for 48 h (14% starved vs. 4% starved with methoprene). Additionally, active caspases were localized to resorbing follicles indicating that an apoptotic cell-death mechanism is responsible for follicular resorption during the previtellogenic resting stage. Taken together, these results indicate that JH mediates reproductive trade-offs in resting stage mosquitoes in response to nutrition.     

Mating in Heliothis virescens: Transfer of juvenile hormone during copulation by male to female and stimulation of biosynthesis of endogenous juvenile hormone

Studies were undertaken to determine whether adult males of Heliothis virescens transfer juvenile hormone (JH) to females during copulation, and an in vitro radiochemical assay was used to determine whether mating causes an allatotropic effect, i.e., stimulation of JH biosynthesis by corpora allata (CA). In vitro, CA from 3-day-old mated females synthesized and released approximately 2.5 times total JH as that of CA from comparably aged virgin females. Of the homologues, JH II exhibited significant increase in mated females; JH I also increased but not significantly. JH III remained similar to that of virgin females. This is the first demonstration of an allatotropic effect of mating in moths. In contrast to the female, CA of virgin males did not produce any JH, but accessory sex glands (ASG) in 3-day-old males synthesized small amounts of JH. Immediately after adult emergence, male ASG contained approximately 1.5 ng JH I and II, which increased by 12 h after emergence and remained at this high level up to 54 h after emergence. JH III was barely detected in ASG. JH in ASG of mated male immediately after uncoupling was depleted almost completely, and 24 h later recovered to levels comparable to that of 54-h-old virgin male. Virgin female bursa copulatrix did not contain any JH, but mated female bursa, immediately after uncoupling, had JH at levels comparable to that observed in virgin male ASG. By 6 h after uncoupling, JH levels decreased dramatically in mated female bursa. These data suggest the transfer of JH to females by the male. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 38:100–107, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Juvenile hormone, 20-hydroxyecdysone and dopamine interaction in Drosophila virilis reproduction under normal and nutritional stress conditions

To elucidate the role of the juvenile hormone (JH) in the control of Drosophila reproduction under stress, JH degradation, dopamine (DA) content and reproduction were studied upon 20E treatment in Drosophila virilis females of wild type (wt) and a mutant, with increased 20E level and decreased fertility, under normal and nutritional stress conditions. 20E treatment of wt flies for 7 days results in an increase of DA content in young females, but a decrease in mature females, a decrease of JH degradation in both young and mature females, an 1-day delay in onset of oviposition and a decrease of fecundity to the level typical of mutant flies. One day of 20E treatment in 7-day-old fed and starved flies results in a small decrease of JH degradation in the fed females and a great decrease in the starved ones. Fecundity decreases in the fed flies to the levels of the starved untreated flies in both wt and mutant strains. An oviposition arrest is observed in the treated and the untreated starved, but not in the treated fed, females of both strains. The data obtained suggest ecdysone control of JH metabolism mediated via DA.     

Role of juvenile hormone esterase and epoxide hydrolase in reproduction of the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa zea

The role of juvenile hormone (JH) esterase (JHE) and epoxide hydrolase (EH) in reproduction of the cotton bollworm, Helicoverpa zea, was investigated. Peak emergence of male and female bollworm adults occurred early in the scotophase. Female adults were added to males in a 1:2 ratio, respectively, at the beginning of the first photophase after emergence (d0). The highest oviposition rates for mated females were noted on d 2-4. The in vitro JH III esterase and JH III EH activity was measured in whole body homogenates of virgin and mated females from d0 to d8 post-emergence. Maximal JHE activity for virgin females occurred on d2 (1.09+/-0.14(+/-1 SEM) nmol of JH III degraded/min/mg protein), which was approximately twice that of mated females on the same day. The same results were observed for EH where the activity peaked on d2 at 0.053+/-0.003 as compared to 0.033+/-0.003 nmol of JH III degraded/min/mg protein, respectively. By d4, both JHE and JH EH activities declined significantly in virgin and mated females and were the same through d7. The developmental changes and effects of mating on JH degradation were similar when measured per insect. The highest levels of JHE and JH EH activity/min/mg protein in d2 virgin and mated females was found in ovaries followed by the carcass and then haemolymph; no EH activity was found in haemolymph as expected. For ovary, the JHE and JH EH activity was highest in virgin compared to mated females. The role of both enzymes in the regulation of reproduction is discussed.     

Early manipulation of juvenile hormone has sexually dimorphic effects on mature adult behavior in Drosophila melanogaster

Hormones are critical for the development, maturation, and maintenance of physiological systems; therefore, understanding their involvement during maturation of the brain is important for the elucidation of mechanisms by which adults become behaviorally competent. Changes in exogenous and endogenous factors encountered during sexual maturation can have long lasting effects in mature adults. In this study, we investigated the role of the gonadotropic hormone, juvenile hormone (JH), in the modulation of adult behaviors in Drosophila. Here we utilized methoprene (a synthetic JH analog) and precocene (a JH synthesis inhibitor) to manipulate levels of JH in sexually immature male and female Drosophila with or without decreased synthesis of neuronal dopamine (DA). Locomotion and courtship behavior were assayed once the animals had grown to sexual maturity. The results demonstrate a sexually dimorphic role for JH in the modulation of these centrally controlled behaviors in mature animals that is dependent on the age of the animals assayed, and present DA as a candidate neuronal factor that differentially interacts with JH depending on the sex of the animal. The data also suggest that JH modulates these behaviors through an indirect mechanism. Since gonadotropic hormones and DA interact in mammals to affect brain development and later function, our results suggest that this mechanism for the development of adult behavioral competence may be evolutionarily conserved.     

Haemolymph juvenile hormone esterase during the life cycle of the tobacco hornworm,Manduca sexta (L.)

Juvenile hormone (JH) esterase activity was found in the plasma of larvae, pupae and adults of wild-type tobacco hornworms, Manduca sexta. There was a single peak of plasma JH esterase activity approx. 28 h prior to ecdysis in each instar from the second through the fourth instar and a peak of activity prior to both wandering and pupation in the fifth (last) instar. JH esterase activity was high in newly formed male and female pupae but declined to minimal levels by day 1 of the pupal stage. For the remainder of the pupal period, activity was at background levels. JH esterase activity increased again in newly emerged, virgin male and female adults but declined and remained at a low level 1 day after emergence through death. Gel filtration analysis of larval, pupal and adult plasma resolved a single peak of JH esterase activity with an apparent molecular weight of 66,000. However, isoelectric focusing revealed three forms with isoelectric points of 5.5, 5.8 and 6.1. These isoelectric forms were also found in black and white mutants of last instar M. sexta and in purified JH esterase from wild-type larvae. The plasma JH esterase activity metabolized JH I 2–3 times faster than JH III and was sensitive to inhibition by octylthio-1,1,1-trifluoro-2-propanone and insensitive to O,O-diisopropyl phosphorofluoridate. Gel filtration, isoelectric focusing, substrate specificity and developmental studies suggest that the same JH esterases are found in the plasma of larvae, pupae and adults and appear to be different from general (α-NA) esterase.     

Characterization and temporal aspects of haemolymph juvenile hormone esterase in adult cockroach,Periplaneta americana

Daily variations in the in vitro haemolymph juvenile hormone esterase activity (hJHE) of adult male and female Periplaneta americana were monitored over a 2 week period from the time of adult emergence and throughout the first reproductive cycle of the adult female. Kinetic analysis of hJHE from females indicated an apparent K(m) JH III of 5.59+/-1.75&mgr;M (V(max)=140pmol JH III hydrolysedh(-1) per &mgr;l haemolymph). In females the mean rate of JH III metabolism in diluted haemolymph shortly after emergence was 27.5+/-1.5pmolh(-1)&mgr;l(-1) (n=16) and remained relatively low (16-32pmolh(-1)&mgr;l(-1)) over much of early adult development. Activity remained at this level during the first two days of the 4 day reproductive cycle, but showed a much increased broad peak of activity (74-93pmolh(-1)&mgr;l(-1)) at 60-72h post-extrusion. This peak lags behind the whole body JH titre peak, which could suggest that elevated levels of JH III may bring about the induction of JH esterase(s). A different pattern of JHE activity was observed in adult males. hJHE rates in males at emergence were almost twice as high (81.5+/-15.8pmolh(-1)&mgr;l(-1), n=16) as those found in females at this time, but thereafter showed a downturn to moderate levels (44-68pmolh(-1)&mgr;l(-1)) that were maintained for the remainder of the study. Rapid (FPLC) DEAE-sepharose ion exchange chromatography, ultrafiltration and fast-flow superose gel filtration chromatography were employed to achieve an efficient partial purification (166-fold) of the hJHE from cell-free plasma of reproductively active female P. americana 48-72h post-ootheca extrusion. Gel filtration and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) revealed an enzyme having apparent molecular mass of between 60 and 70kDa, whilst non-denaturing PAGE and iso-electrofocusing resolved a single acidic enzyme peak with a pI of 4.9.     

Effects of dopamine on juvenile hormone metabolism and fitness in Drosophila virilis

The effects of dopamine (DA) on juvenile hormone (JH) metabolism and fitness (estimated as fecundity and viability levels under heat stress (38 °C)) in Drosophila virilis have been studied. An increase of DA level obtained by feeding with DA reduced fitness of wild-type (wt) flies under stress, and decreased JH degradation in young wt females while increasing it in sexually mature wt females. A decrease in DA levels resulted from 3-iodo-tyrosine treatment and caused a decrease in JH degradation in sexually mature wt and heat sensitive (hs) mutant females (DA level in hs females is twice as high in wt females). A dramatic decrease in viability under stress and fecundity under normal conditions in wt, but not hs, females was observed. 3-iodo-tyrosine treatment also reduced the number of oocytes at stages 8-14, delayed oocyte transition to stage 10 and resulted in the accumulation of mature eggs in wt females. It delayed maturation of wt, but not hs, males as well, but did not affect their fertility. This advances our understanding of the regulation of JH metabolism by DA in Drosophila and suggests a crucial role for the basal DA level in fitness.     

Dopamine and octopamine regulate 20-hydroxyecdysone level in vivo in Drosophila

The effects of increased level of dopamine (DA) (feeding flies with DA precursor, L-dihydroxyphenylalanine, L-DOPA) on the level of 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) and on juvenile hormone (JH) metabolism in young (2-day-old) wild type females (the strain wt) of Drosophila virilis have been studied. Feeding the flies with L-DOPA increased DA content by a factor of 2.5, and led to a considerable increase in 20E level and a decrease of JH degradation (an increase in JH level). We have also measured the levels of 20E in the young (1-day-old) octopamineless females of the strain Tbetah(nM18) and in wild type females, Canton S, of D. melanogaster. The absence of OA led to a considerable decrease in 20E level (earlier it was shown that in the Tbetah(nM18) females, JH degradation was sharply increased). We have studied the effects of JH application on 20E level in 2-day-old wt females of D. virilis and demonstrated that an increase in JH titre results in a steep increase of 20E level. The supposition that biogenic amines act as intermediary between JH and 20E in the control of Drosophila reproduction is discussed.     

Juvenile hormone-induced break and termination of diapause in the Colorado potato beetle

Topical applications of Cecropia juvenile hormone I (JH) and several analogues, 1 day after the initiation of diapause, induce a break in diapause 8 to 10 days later, characterized by emergence from the soil, feeding, mating, and reproduction. Activation is only temporary when beetles are kept in short-day photoperiods. The percentage of beetles activated and the duration of activation depend on the nature of the JH and the dose applied. JH application during prediapause only postpones diapause, whereas beetles which have spent 2 months in diapause are activated rather easily. Diapause is completely terminated when JH application is accompanied by a transfer of the beetles to long-day conditions. Thirty μg JH applied to allatectomized females in long-day conditions allows them to reproduce for over 50 days.The extent to which the endocrine system is involved in activation has been investigated. Allatectomy does not change JH-induced activation at long or short daylengths. Volumetric measurements indicate that the corpora allata remain inactive as long as measurable amounts of JH circulate in the blood. An increase in corpus allatum activity after day 8 further stimulates long-day oviposition. Gomoripositive neurosecretory cells in the brain are activated by JH within 1 day. The hypothesis is advanced that a JH-induced break or termination of diapause is mediated through the neuroendocrine system.     

Effects of octopamine on reproduction, juvenile hormone metabolism, dopamine, and 20-hydroxyecdysone contents in Drosophila

The effect of an experimentally increased octopamine content (feeding flies with OA) on the levels of juvenile hormone (JH) degradation, dopamine (DA), and 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) contents, oogenesis, and fecundity of wild type Drosophila flies has been studied. OA feeding of the flies was found to (1) cause a considerable decrease in JH degradation in females, but not males, of D. melanogaster and D. virilis; (2) have no effect on DA content in D. melanogaster and D. virilis; (3) increase 20E contents in D. virilis females; (4) decrease to a large extent the number of vitellogenic (stages 8-10) and mature (stage 14) oocytes in D. virilis; and (5) decrease the fecundity of D. melanogaster and D. virilis. A possible mechanism of action of OA as a neurohormone on the reproductive function of Drosophila is discussed.     

The mechanism of the effect of apterous56f mutation on the reproductive function of Drosophila melanogaster

The effects of L-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) and 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) were studied with respect to the content of dopamine (DA), intensity of the juvenile hormone (JH) degradation, and fecundity of the wildtype flies (Canton S) and JH-deficient apterous56f mutants (in young females, carrying this mutation, the levels of DA and 20E production were strongly increased). Fly feeding with L-DOPA proved to increase the level of DA in a dose-dependent manner and reduce JH degradation in 2-day-old females of both strains. Feeding with 20E produced the same effect. Treating the wild-type flies with 2.5 mg L-DOPA caused a 24-h delay in beginning of oviposition and reduction in fecundity throughout the experiment. An L-DOPA dose of 1 mg caused no such changes. An experimental increase in 20E titer led to reduced fecundity of the wild-type flies, though no delay in oviposition was observed. In mutant flies, an increase in DA and 20E levels accelerated beginning of oviposition and increased fecundity of young females, though the latter parameter was reduced in mature individuals. Thus, an increase in endogenous DA and 20E characteristic of young apterous56f females is assumed to be a compensatory response that leads to a higher JH titer and induction of vitellogenesis.     

Titres of biogenic amines and ecdysteroids: effect of octopamine on the production of ecdysteroids in the silkworm Bombyx mori

At day two, a sharp peak of octopamine (OA) was observed in last instar female Bombyx mori larvae. This peak also appeared in male larvae a day later than in females at day three. An OA peak was also observed before the 3rd ecdysis. However, no OA peaks were observed in 4th instar larvae. At day eight and nine of the 5th instar, another OA peak was observed for male and female, respectively. A peak of tyramine (TA) was found at day one followed by a peak of OA at day two in 3rd instar larvae. At day two, a day before OA peak, a peak of TA was observed for male insects and before the 2nd peak of OA, TA titre was also high in 5th instar larvae. Immediately after 3rd ecdysis, a high titre of DL-beta-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)alanine (DOPA) was observed, followed by a peak of dopamine (DA) at day five. A peak of DOPA was found at day one followed by a peak of DA at day two in 3rd instar larvae. Similarly, a small peak of DOPA was observed at day two, followed by an increase of DA at days eight and nine after the 4th ecdysis. Ecdysteroid peaks were observed just before the 3rd and 4th ecdysis and an ecdysteroid titre increased after the start of spinning. The effects of OA and JH on production of ecdysteroids by prothoracic glands (PGs) were examined in order to identify neuromediators responsible for triggering pupation in B. mori larvae. Exogeneous OA (10-100 mM) reduced and 10 &mgr;M OA stimulated the production of ecdysteroids in the presence and absence of brain extracts by PGs in the final instar (day five) of B. mori in vitro. Meanwhile, exogeneous JHI (10 &mgr;g/ml) stimulated and at 5 &mgr;g/ml it reduced production of ecdysteroids in the presence of brain extracts. Gramine, an OA antagonist, delayed pupation when applied in the diet. Thus, OA may produce some biological effects on the programming of larval-pupal development.     

Decrease in juvenile hormone level as a result of genetic ablation of the corpus allatum cells affects the synthesis and metabolism of stress related hormones in Drosophila

Previous studies have shown that juvenile hormone (JH) regulates dopamine (DA) and octopamine (OA) content in Drosophila, and we have shown the influence of an increase in JH level on DA and OA metabolism in young females of Drosophila virilis and Drosophila melanogaster. Here we investigate the effects of genetic ablation of a subset of cells in the Corpusallatum (CA, endocrine gland synthesizing JH) on the DA levels and activities of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), DA-dependent arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (DAT) and tyrosine decarboxylase (TDC) in young D. melanogaster females under normal conditions and upon heat stress (38°С). We show that ablation of СА cells causes: (1) a decrease in ALP, TH and DAT activities, (2) an increase in DA level and (3) an increase in TDC activity in young females. The CA ablation was also found to modulate ALP, TH and TDC responses to heat stress. Mechanisms of regulation of DA and OA levels by JH in Drosophila females are discussed.