Immunoreactive material resembling vertebrate neuropeptides in the corpus cardiacum and corpus allatum of the insect Leucophaea moderae

Summary The presence and differential distribution of substances antigenically related to known vertebrate neuropeptides demonstrated within the corpus cardiacum of the insect Leucophaea are as follows: Of ten mammalian antisera tested, six yielded substantial immunoreactive deposits resembling oxytocin, somatostatin, Substance P, met-enkephalin, bombesin, and neurotensin, respectively. In the remaining four, the reaction was moderate (vasopressin, -endorphin) or marginal (LH-RF, calcitonin). With regard to their regional distribution, these biochemically distinct reaction products seem to fall into two groups: (1) Materials resembling oxytocin, vasopressin, met-enkephalin, -endorphin (and presumably also neurotensin and LH-RF) predominate in the central release area of the organ and are considered to be of extrinsic (cerebral) origin. (2) Substances localized primarily in areas rich in intrinsic glandular cells of the corpus cardiacum, and revealed by antisera raised against somatostatin, Substance P, and bombesin, are judged to be synthesized and stored within this organ. In peptidergic fibers entering the adjacent corpora allata, thus far Substance P-, -endorphin-, and LH-RF-like immunoreactivities have been demonstrated. Some of these new neuropeptides may be contained in classical neurosecretory neurons, formerly identified by less specific methods, others must be assigned to additional peptidergic neurons heretofore unknown.Supported by NSF grant BMS 74-12456 (B.S.). The excellent technical assistance of Mrs. Sarah Wurzelmann is gratefully acknowledged