Wing receptors of the American cockroach Periplaneta americana]

Wing receptors of the cockroach have been studied using staining technique with methylene blue in living animals. Five types of the receptors were found: trychoid hairs, bristles, complaniform sensillae, chordotonal organs and multiterminal neurons. The majority of the receptors is located at the lower surface of the wing, especially along its ribs. Together with primitive features in the structure (polyneuronal origin of hairs and bristles, poor content of chordotonal organs, absence of distinct groups of companiform sensillae), some specialization of wing receptors with respect to flight function is noted (concentration of proprioceptors along the main mechanical axis of the wing and formation of distinct rows by the companiform sensillae).     

High-affinity uptake of [3H]serotonin in cultured neurones of the cockroach Periplaneta americana

Cultured central neurons from the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana, have been used to investigate the uptake of [³H]serotonin. The neurones accumulate [³H]serotonin from the extracellular medium by both a high-and a low-affinity system. The activity of the high-affinity mechanism is decreased by low temperature and metabolic poisons, and is dependent on sodium and chloride ions. Both depolarising levels of external potassium ions and veratridine decrease the high-affinity uptake system, suggesting it is influenced by the transmembrane potential. The pyrethroid insecticides, deltamethrin and permethrin, enhance the inhibitory effect of veratridine. Pyrethroid enhancement is completely blocked by tetrodotoxin, and neither pyrethroid affects the uptake system in the absence of veratridine. Avermectin B_1A is a powerful inhibitor of the high-affinity uptake system, and its effect is blocked by picrotoxin. High-affinity uptake of [³H]serotonin is inhibited by imipramine and amitriptyline; desipramine has no significant effect on this uptake. The activity of the high-affinity system is also reduced by 8-hydroxy-dipropylaminotetralin, α-methyl-serotonin, and 1-(3-chlorophenyl)piperazine. Dopamine, noradrenaline, octopamine, and the formamidine insecticides, chlordimeform and demethylchlordimerform, are moderate inhibitors of the high-affinity uptake system. The formamidine effect is not blocked by tetrodotoxin or picrotoxin.     

[N-Methyl-3H]Scopolamine binding sites in the central nervous system of the cockroach Periplaneta americana

The binding of [N-methyl-³H]scopolamine to a cockroach nerve cord preparation has been investigated. Specific [N-methyl-³H]scopolamine binding was found to be saturable and of high affinity (K_d = 13.9 nM). Muscarinic ligands were found to displace [N-methyl-³H]scopolamine binding more effectively than nicotinic ligands. The distribution of these [N-methyl-³H]scopolamine binding sites was examined in the metathoracic ganglion at the light microscope level by autoradiographical techniques. Specific binding was found to be localized to distinct regions of the neuropile. This pattern showed certain similarities to that seen when the ganglion was stained for acetylcholinesterase, suggesting a functional role for these insect muscarinic acetylcholine receptors.     

Catechol conjugation with hemolymph proteins and their incorporation into the cuticle of the American cockroach,Periplaneta americana

Newly ecdysed American cockroaches, Periplaneta americana (sixth to last instar) were injected with radioactive dopamine (DA) and hemolymph was collected at 10–60 min post-ecdysis. Size-exclusion chromatography established the presence of at least three proteins that serve as catecholamine carriers. Reinjection of the smaller radiolabeled phenol-bound proteins into newly ecdysed animals results in in vivo aggregation, with the radiolabel bound to large MW proteins (30->200 kDa). In addition, the reinjection of radiolabeled protein of any size resulted in the incorporation of the label into the newly sclerotized cuticle. Hemolymph proteins were synthesized in vivo using [¹⁴C]leucine and subsequently double labeled in vivo with [³H]dopamine. After sclerotization (7 h post-ecdysis) the cuticle was extirpated, hydrolyzed and counted. An identical ratio of ¹⁴C to ³H was found in cuticle extracts as in the double-labeled hemolymph proteins, suggesting that the phenol-bound protein was incorporated in the cuticle unchanged. It appears that the catechol bound to the proteins exists as a β-glucoside.     

Purification and characterization of arginine kinase from the American cockroach (Periplaneta americana)

The isolation and characterization of homogeneous arginine kinase from the cockroach is reported. The purification protocol produces 6.6 mg of pure enzyme from 6.8 g of whole cockroach. The purified enzyme cross-reacts with a heterologous antibody and monoclonal antibody against arginine kinase from the shrimp. Both antibody preparations also cross-react with extracts from several species known to contain monomeric arginine kinase, but fail to react with extracts from organisms containing dimeric arginine kinase. Cockroach arginine kinase has a molecular mass of approximately 43,000 determined from measurements by gel filtration and gel electrophoresis. Compared with other arginine kinases, the enzyme from the cockroach is relatively thermostable (50% activity retained at 50 degrees C for 10 min) and has a pH optima of 8.5 and 6.5-7.5, for the forward and reverse reactions, respectively. Treatment with 5,5'dithiobis[2-nitrobenzoic acid] indicates that arginine kinase has a single reactive sulfhydryl group and, interestingly, the reaction is biphasic. The Michaelis constants for the phosphagen substrates, arginine: 0.49 mM, phosphoarginine: 0.94 mM, and nucleotide substrates MgATP: 0.14 mM, MgADP: 0.09 mM, are in the range reported for other arginine kinases. A 1% solution of pure enzyme has an absorbance of 7.0 at 280 nm. Calculations based on circular dichroic spectra indicate that arginine kinase from the cockroach has 12% alpha-helical structure. The intrinsic protein fluorescence emission maximum at 340 nm suggests that tryptophan residues are below the surface of the protein and not exposed to solvent. Arginine kinase from the cockroach and shrimp are known to be deleterious immunogens towards humans. The availability of pure protein, its characterization and potential regulation of activity, will be useful in developing agents to control the cockroach population and its destructive role in agriculture and human health.     

Purification and characterization of vitellogenin from the American cockroach,Periplaneta americana

• 1.1. Vitellogenin (VG) was isolated and purified from the hemolymph of female American cockroaches.
• 2.2. The purification method used in this study comprises two steps: the first step is based on the method originally developed for purifying lipophorin from hemolymph, and the second step is the separation of VG from lipophorin by a KBr density gradient ultracentrifugation.
• 3.3. The purified VG was characterized according to molecular weight, substructure, shape and size, and lipid composition.
• 4.4. The VG molecule is almost globular in shape with the diameter of about 15.5 nm and is indistinguishable from lipophorin in shape and size.
• 5.5. The native molecular weight determined by light scattering method was 560 kDa.
• 6.6. The VG consists of four subunits with molecular weights of approximately 102, 81, 49 and 40 kDa, respectively.
• 7.7. VG is a lipoprotein and comprises 92% protein and 8% lipid.
• 8.8. Major lipid components were found to be diacylglycerol (25%) and phospholipids (71%).

     

Effect of taurine on serum trehalase activity in the American cockroach,Periplaneta americana

Injection of adult cockroaches with 8 nmol taurine reduces serum trehalase activity. The maximal inhibition of serum trehalase activity caused by taurine is similar to the inhibition observed in vivo at 1 h following excitation. The serum of taurine-treated insects contains active and inactive forms of the enzyme with activation of the inactive form achieved by trypsinization and by increasing the ionic strength of the assay mixture for trehalase activity.     

Molecular characterization of the ebony gene from the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana

Biogenic amines are an important class of primary messengers in the central (CNS) and peripheral nervous systems and in peripheral organs. These substances regulate and modulate many physiological and behavioral processes. Various inactivation mechanisms for these substances exist to terminate biogenic amine-mediated signal transduction. In vertebrates, the enzymes monoamine oxidase and/or catechol-O-methyl-transferase are involved in these processes. In insects, however, in which both enzymes are low in abundance or absent, biogenic amines are inactivated mainly by N-acetylation or O-sulphation. In Drosophila, beta-alanyl conjugation mediated by the Ebony protein has recently been shown to be a novel and alternative pathway for biogenic amine inactivation. Here, we report the cloning of ebony cDNA (Peaebony) from a brain-specific cDNA library of the cockroach Periplaneta americana. The open reading frame encodes a protein of 860 amino acid residues (PeaEbony). The PeaEbony polypeptide shares homology to Ebony sequences from Anopheles gambiae, Apis mellifera, and Drosophila melanogaster. In addition, PeaEbony exhibits sequence similarity to a family of microbial non-ribosomal peptide synthetases. The mRNA encoding PeaEbony is highly expressed in the cockroach brain and to a lesser extent in the salivary glands. PeaEbony is, therefore, probably involved in the inactivation of various biogenic amines through beta-alanyl conjugation in the cockroach CNS. Since the salivary glands in Periplaneta are innervated by dopaminergic and serotonergic neurons, PeaEbony probably also biochemically modifies dopamine and serotonin in these acinar glands.     

Binding of N-[propionyl-3H]propionylated alpha-bungarotoxin and L-[benzilic-4,4'-3H] quinuclidinyl benzilate to CNS extracts of the cockroach Periplaneta americana

The nerve cord of the cockroach (Periplaneta americana) contains distinct saturable components of specific binding for the ligands N-[propionyl-3H]propionylated alpha-bungarotoxin and L-[benzilic-4,4'-3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate. N-[Propionyl-3H]propionylated alpha-bungarotoxin bound reversibly to homogenates with a Kd of 4.8 nM and Bmax of 910 fmol mg-1. The association rate constant (1.9 X 10(5) M-1 s-1) and dissociation rate constant (1.2 X 10(-4) s-1) yielded a Kd of 0.6 nM. Nicotinic ligands were found to displace toxin binding most effectively. The binding sites characterized in this way showed many similarities with the properties of the vertebrate neuronal alpha-bungarotoxin binding site. For a range of cholinergic ligands, inhibition constants calculated from toxin binding studies closely corresponded to their effectiveness in blocking the depolarizing response to acetylcholine recorded by electrophysiological methods from an identified cockroach motoneurone. The N-[propionyl-3H]propionylated alpha-bungarotoxin binding component therefore appears to be a constituent of a functional CNS acetylcholine receptor. Binding of L-[benzilic-4,4'-3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate was reversible with a Kd of 8 nM and Bmax of 138 fmol mg-1, determined from equilibrium binding experiments. The Kd calculated from the association rate constant (2.4 X 10(5) M-1 s-1) and dissociation rate constant (1.3 X 10(-4) s-1) was 1.9 nM. Muscarinic ligands were the most potent inhibitors of quinuclidinyl benzilate binding. The characteristics of this binding site resembled those of vertebrate CNS muscarinic cholinergic receptors. In contrast with vertebrate CNS, the nerve cord of Periplaneta americana contains more (approximately X 7) alpha-bungarotoxin binding sites than quinuclidinyl benzilate binding sites.     

Further purification and characterization of trehalases from the American cockroach,Periplaneta americana

Summary A soluble trehalase was purified more than 200-fold from the male accessory gland of the American cockroach,Periplaneta americana, by CM-cellulose, hydrophobic chromatography, and Sephacryl S-200 gel filtration. The final preparation was homogeneous as judged by polyacryl-amide gel electrophoresis in the absence and presence of SDS, isoelectric focusing, and immuno-diffusion tests. The purified enzyme was maximally active at pH 5.2, and showed high specificity for trehalose with aK _m of 0.98 mM. The isoelectric point was 4.7. The molecular weight of the enzyme (75,000) was determined by molecular sieve chromatography and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The amino acid composition was determined and compared with those of trehalases purified from other sources. The trehalase could be stained for carbohydrate with the periodic acid-Schiff's reagent following SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, indicating that it was a glycoprotein. Another soluble trehalase and two types of fat body trehalases could be highly purified by the method described. A comparison of the properties of trehalases from the accessory gland and the fat body showed some resemblance.     

Effect of corazonin and crustacean cardioactive peptide on heartbeat in the adult American cockroach (Periplaneta americana)

Changes in the frequency of cardiac pulsations have been monitored in the decapitated body of adult P. americana before and 5 h after the injections of [Arg(7)]-corazonin and CCAP, using newly invented touch-free, noninvasive optocardiographic methods. Relatively large dosages of these peptides (10(-6) M concentrations in the body) had no effect on the rate of the heartbeat beyond the Ringer control limits. It has been concluded, therefore, that Corazonin and CCAP, which are currently cited in the literature as "the most potent cardiostimulating peptides" in insects, have no effect on the physiological regulation of cardiac functions in the living body.     

Characteristics of GABA receptors on the ocellar L-neurons of American cockroach Periplaneta americana

The ocellar L-neurons of cockroach Periplaneta americana were used in the present study as model systems to investigate the pharmacological properties of the GABA receptors. To do so, a glass microelectrode was impaled into the axon of the L-neurons to record the membrane potential intracellularly and to monitor membrane response to GABA treatment and cercal stimulation by air puff. The traditional GABA and their receptor agonists were introduced through perfusion and/or iontophoresis to monitor their effects on the L-neurons. The GABA receptor antagonists were administered by perfusion to examine if the response of the L-neurons to GABA and/or cercal stimulation was changed. The results revealed that administration of GABA, muscimol and imidazole acetic acid, two GABAA agonists, produced depolarization on the L-neurons. However, treatment of 3-APS and guanidine acetic acid, another two GABAA agonists, evoked hyperpolarization on the L-neurons. Among those tested antagonists, only picrotoxin, GABAA antagonist, antagonize the depolarization induced by GABA and/or cercal stimulation. More interestingly, administration of strychnine, glycine receptor antagonist, largely attenuated the depolarization response of the L-neurons to cercal stimulation. This attenuation caused by strychnine was even stronger than that initiated by varied GABA antagonists. In addition, phaclofen, a GABAB receptor antagonist, showed no antagonistic effect. These results strongly suggest that the characteristics of GABA receptors of the ocellar L-neurons may differ from those in vertebrates. It may be more likely to be a novel GABA receptor.     

Purification and some properties of a lectin from the hemolymph of Periplaneta americana (American cockroach)

A lectin showing specificity for human A-type red blood cells was purified to homogeneity from the hemolymph of the American cockroach Periplaneta americana by affinity chromatography on bovine submaxillary gland mucin. This lectin was a huge molecule with molecular mass of about 1500 kDa, with a single subunit of 30-kDa protein, and required Ca2+ for expression of lectin activity. Electron microscopic examination showed that these molecules were rods with helical structure with an average length of 50.5 nm and width of 10 nm. The molecule was suggested to contain tandemly aligned basic units of 10 nm length.     

Characterization and purification of polymorphic arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase from the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana.

We separated two forms of arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT) from various organs of the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana. Both forms of the enzyme had an equivalent molecular mass of 28 kDa. One form isolated from the testicular accessory glands had high enzyme activity at acidic pHs. The isoelectric point was 5-6 and the substrate specificity was wider than the other type. The other isolated form from female midguts had a higher level of enzyme activity at basic pHs. These findings suggested that P. americana contains polymorphic AANAT, as is the case in Drosophila melanogaster. These forms differed not only in pH specificity, and substrate specificity but in chromatographic behavior and kinetic properties. Most of the organs we examined contained a mixture of the two forms since two types of AANAT activity were separated in different chromatographic fractions when two pH conditions were used for activity measurement.     

美洲大蠊(Periplaneta americana)肠道微生物多样性分析

【目的】分析美洲大蠊(Periplaneta americana)肠道微生物群落的组成。【方法】以美洲大蠊肠道微生物基因组为模板,Bact-27F和Univ-1492R为引物,PCR扩增16S rRNA基因,连接pGEM-T载体,构建肠道微生物16S rRNA基因文库,并对肠道微生物的组成及多样性进行分析。【结果】美洲大蠊肠道微生物主要包括变形杆菌门(Proteobacteria,66.4%),拟杆菌门(Bacteroidetes,17.8%),厚壁菌门(Firmicutes,14.5%),梭杆菌门(Fusobacteria,0.6%),以及未分类微生物(unclassified bacteria,0.6%)。系统发育分析显示,15%的美洲大蠊肠道微生物16S rRNA基因序列与亲缘关系较近的杂食蟑螂肠道微生物的16S rRNA基因序列聚于一支;59%的美洲大蠊肠道微生物16S rRNA基因序列与不同食性动物肠道微生物的16S rRNA基因序列聚于一支。另一方面,18%的美洲大蠊肠道微生物16S rRNA基因序列与潜在的微生物致病菌一致性高于99%,说明美洲大蠊是一类潜在的致病菌携带者。【结论】美洲大蠊肠道微生物群落组成多样,宿主系统进化以及杂食性生活方式对其肠道微生物的组成有较大影响。     

Effect of static load on motor behavior of the cockroach Periplaneta americana

Effect of static load on activity of motor centers controlling motor activity (walking, flight) was studied in the American cockroach Periplaneta americana L. It has been established that under effect of load on the animal body the relative excitability of these centers increases. A suggestion is put forward about the presence of common neuronal elements in the generator networks providing motor acts in the American cockroach; a role of afferent systems in control of excitability of loco-motor centers functioning in the regime of static load is shown.     

Effect of static load on motor behavior of the cockroach Periplaneta americana

Effect of static load on activity of motor centers controlling motor activity (walking flight) was studied in the American cockroach Periplaneta americana L. It has been established that under effect of load on the animal body the relative excitability of these centers increases. A suggestion is put forward about the presence of common neuronal elements in the generator networks providing motor acts in the American cockroach; a role of afferent systems in control of excitability of locomotor centers functioning in the regime of static load is shown.