Physiology of Insect Ecdysis

1973 ◽  
Vol 58 (3) ◽  
pp. 821-829
Author(s):  
JAMES W. TRUMAN
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Manduca Sexta ◽  
Hormone Activity ◽  
Hormonal Factors ◽  
Corpora Cardiaca ◽  
Eclosion Hormone ◽  
Neural Input ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Pupal Cuticle

1. In pharate Manduca sexta moths eclosion hormone activity was present in the brain and corpora cardiaca. Bursicon activity was confined to the abdominal nervous system, and was most concentrated in the abdominal perivisceral organs (PVOs). 2. When newly emerged moths were given access to suitable wing-spreading sites, bursicon activity was depleted from the PVOs and appeared in the blood within 15 min after eclosion. This hormone was responsible for the tanning and hardening of the wings. 3. Bursicon release could be delayed for at least 24 h by forcing the newly emerged moth to dig. Secretion then occurred swiftly upon giving the moth a suitable wing-spreading site. 4. The pupal cuticle was removed from pharate Manduca approximately 7 h before their normal eclosion gate, and the peeled moths were provided with a wing-spreading site. These moths did not then secrete bursicon until after their normal time of eclosion. 5. Injection of the eclosion hormone into pharate moths caused early eclosion followed by precocious bursicon secretion. 6. It was concluded that bursicon release is regulated by both neural and hormonal factors. The eclosion hormone triggers a program of neural output which includes the secretion of bursicon. This release, however, can be delayed by neural input which is associated with the digging behaviour of the moth.

The Larval Eclosion Hormone Neurones in Manduca Sexta: Identification of the Brain-Proctodeal Neurosecretory System

1989 ◽  
Vol 147 (1) ◽  
pp. 457-470 ◽  
Author(s):  
JAMES W. TRUMAN ◽  
PHILIP F. COPENHAVER
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Manduca Sexta ◽  
Nerve Cord ◽  
Release Site ◽  
Neurosecretory System ◽  
Nerve Activity ◽  
Eclosion Hormone ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
The Brain

Larval and pupal ecdyses of the moth Manduca sexta are triggered by eclosion hormone (EH) released from the ventral nervous system. The major store of EH activity in the latter resides in the proctodeal nerves that extend along the larval hindgut. At pupal ecdysis, the proctodeal nerves show a 90% depletion of stored activity, suggesting that they are the major release site for the circulating EH that causes ecdysis. Surgical experiments involving the transection of the nerve cord or removal of parts of the brain showed that the proctodeal nerve activity originates from the brain. Retrograde and anterograde cobalt fills and immunocytochemistry using antibodies against EH revealed two pairs of neurons that reside in the ventromedial region of the brain and whose axons travel ipsilaterally along the length of the central nervous system (CNS) and project into the proctodeal nerve, where they show varicose release sites. These neurons constitute a novel neuroendocrine pathway in insects which appears to be dedicated solely to the release of EH.

scholarly journals The initiation of pre-ecdysis and ecdysis behaviors in larval Manduca sexta: the roles of the brain, terminal ganglion and eclosion hormone.

1996 ◽  
Vol 199 (8) ◽  
pp. 1757-1769 ◽  
Author(s):  
A Novicki ◽  
J C Weeks
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Manduca Sexta ◽  
Brain Neurons ◽  
Eclosion Hormone ◽  
Terminal Ganglion ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Time Required ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Larval Molt

Each larval molt of Manduca sexta culminates in the sequential performance of pre-ecdysis (cuticle loosening) and ecdysis (cuticle shedding) behaviors. Both behaviors are thought to be triggered by the release of a peptide, eclosion hormone (EH), from brain neurons whose axons extend the length of the nervous system. EH bioactivity appears in the hemolymph at the onset of pre-ecdysis behavior, and EH injection can trigger pre-ecdysis and ecdysis behaviors prematurely. The present study examined the effects of removing or disconnecting portions of the central nervous system prior to the time of EH release on the initiation of pre-ecdysis and ecdysis behaviors at the final larval molt. We found that the initiation of pre-ecdysis abdominal compressions at the appropriate time required the terminal abdominal ganglion (AT) but not the brain; the initiation of pre-ecdysis proleg retractions at the appropriate time required neither the AT nor the brain; the initiation of ecdysis at the appropriate time usually required the brain but did not require the AT; and premature pre-ecdysis (but not ecdysis) could be elicited in isolated abdomens by injection of EH. Finally, pre-ecdysis behavior performed by brainless larvae was not associated with the normal elevation of EH bioactivity in the hemolymph or the normal loss of EH immunoreactivity from peripheral neurohemal release sites.

PHYSIOLOGY OF INSECT ECDYSIS

1971 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
pp. 805-814 ◽  
Author(s):  
JAMES W. TRUMAN
Keyword(s):  
Behaviour Pattern ◽  
Hormone Activity ◽  
Eclosion Hormone ◽  
Labial Gland Secretion ◽  
Five Elements ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Surgical Manipulations ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Behavioural Sequence ◽  
Pupal Cuticle

1. In the giant silkmoths, adult eclosion is immediately preceded by a stereotyped series of abdominal movements - the pre-eclosion behaviour. The pattern of movements is species-specific and has a duration of about 1 ¼ h. 2. The pre-eclosion behaviour is followed sequentially by eclosion, the release of the labial gland secretion, the post-eclosion activity, and the spreading of the wings. These five elements of behaviour make up the emergence sequence. 3. The progression from one part of the behavioural sequence to the next is independent of stimuli provided by the pupal cuticle or cocoon, and therefore must be due to an internal programme. Thus, when the pupal cuticle was removed from pharate moths 12 h before their normal eclosion time, these ‘peeled’ animals continued to behave in a pupal fashion. But upon the arrival of the eclosion gate, the entire emergence sequence was displayed. 4. Through surgical manipulations the brain was shown to trigger the pre-eclosion behaviour. Moreover, this action of the brain was mediated by a neurosecretory hormone - the eclosion hormone. 5. Injections of extracts with eclosion-hormone activity triggered the precocious display of the emergence sequence by pharate moths. 6. When the eclosion hormone was injected into the isolated abdomens of pharate moths, these fragments performed the pre-eclosion behaviour and then shed the surrounding piece of pupal cuticle. The information for the pre-eclosion behaviour and for the abdominal movements associated with eclosion must therefore be programmed in the abdominal ganglia. Moreover, after its ‘activation’ the abdomen can switch from one behaviour pattern to the next without influence from the higher centres.

The novel guanylyl cyclase MsGC-I is strongly expressed in higher-order neuropils in the brain of Manduca sexta

2001 ◽  
Vol 204 (2) ◽  
pp. 305-314 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Nighorn ◽  
P.J. Simpson ◽  
D.B. Morton
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Manduca Sexta ◽  
Guanylyl Cyclase ◽  
Higher Order ◽  
Adult Brain ◽  
Central Complex ◽  
Amino Acid Residues ◽  
Order Processing ◽  
Guanylyl Cyclases ◽  
The Brain

Guanylyl cyclases are usually characterized as being either soluble (sGCs) or receptor (rGCs). We have recently cloned a novel guanylyl cyclase, MsGC-I, from the developing nervous system of the hawkmoth Manduca sexta that cannot be classified as either an sGC or an rGC. MsGC-I shows highest sequence identity with receptor guanylyl cyclases throughout its catalytic and dimerization domains, but does not contain the ligand-binding, transmembrane or kinase-like domains characteristic of receptor guanylyl cyclases. In addition, MsGC-I contains a C-terminal extension of 149 amino acid residues. In this paper, we report the expression of MsGC-I in the adult. Northern blots show that it is expressed preferentially in the nervous system, with high levels in the pharate adult brain and antennae. In the antennae, immunohistochemical analyses show that it is expressed in the cell bodies and dendrites, but not axons, of olfactory receptor neurons. In the brain, it is expressed in a variety of sensory neuropils including the antennal and optic lobes. It is also expressed in structures involved in higher-order processing including the mushroom bodies and central complex. This complicated expression pattern suggests that this novel guanylyl cyclase plays an important role in mediating cyclic GMP levels in the nervous system of Manduca sexta.

Introductory remarks (second day): neurosecretion

1971 ◽  
Vol 261 (839) ◽  
pp. 389-390 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Peptide Hormones ◽  
Sinus Gland ◽  
Endocrine Activity ◽  
Corpora Cardiaca ◽  
Pars Nervosa ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
The Brain

Our session today needs few words of introduction, for most of the foundations for our programme this morning have already been laid during the papers and discussions yesterday. It is perhaps only in relation to the secretory activities of neurons (which we shall discuss later this morning), and in particular the use of the term ‘neurosecretion’ that some comments of mine might be appropriate and useful. For many years those of us who are interested in the field of neuroendocrinology have appropriated the word ‘neurosecretion’ to describe certain specific elements in the central nervous system which appear to be engaged in endocrine activity. The earliest of these specialized neurons to be described, namely those tracts linking the hypothalamus and pituitary pars nervosa in vertebrates, and those linking the brain and the sinus gland in crustaceans and the corpora cardiaca of insects, were clearly distinguishable by histological means from other neurons. Moreover, in terms of function and biochemistry also these classical neurosecretory systems seemed to have distinct characteristics. Unlike other neurons they released peptide hormones into the bloodstream and this, and some other features, formed the basis for the original neurosecretion concept proposed by Scharrer and Bargmann.

Control of Cuticle Extensibility in the Wings of Adult Manduca At the Time of Eclosion: Effects of Eclosion Hormone and Bursicon

1977 ◽  
Vol 70 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-39
Author(s):  
STUART E. REYNOLDS
Keyword(s):  
Manduca Sexta ◽  
Nerve Cord ◽  
Gel Filtration ◽  
Corpora Allata ◽  
Partial Purification ◽  
Active Principle ◽  
Eclosion Hormone ◽  
Highly Sensitive ◽  
The Brain ◽  
Pharate Adult

The wings of pharate adult tobacco hornworm moths, Manduca sexta, are relatively inextensible until 3 or 4 h before emergence from the pupal case. At this time the wing cuticle becomes plasticized, so that by the time of eclosion, the wings are readily extensible. This change in the mechanical properties of the wing cuticle is shown to be under the control of a factor from the head. This factor is present in the corpora cardiaca/corpora allata complex, and in the protocerebrum of the brain, being released into the blood prior to eclosion. It is able to act directly on isolated wings. The active principle was found to be indistinguishable in a number of ways from the hormone which triggers emergence from the pupal case, the eclosion hormone. Partial purification of the eclosion hormone failed to separate activity causing eclosion from activity causing wing cuticle plasticization. It is concluded that the same hormone is probably responsible for both effects. The cuticle plasticizing activity of the eclosion hormone forms the basis for a new, highly sensitive bioassay. Another factor, distinct from the eclosion hormone, is able to cause wing cuticle plasticization. This factor is found in the abdominal nerve cord, and is only released into the blood after eclosion has occurred. It is probably identical with the tanning hormone, bursicon, which is released at this time. The factor in the nerve cord which causes cuticle plasticization is indistinguishable from bursicon in a number of ways, including partial purification by gel filtration. Bursicon evidently causes a further increase in wing cuticle extensibility after eclosion, at the time of wing inflation.

Excitatory and inhibitory roles of central ganglia in initiation of the insect ecdysis behavioural sequence

2000 ◽  
Vol 203 (8) ◽  
pp. 1329-1340 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Zitnan ◽  
M.E. Adams
Keyword(s):  
Neural Network ◽  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Manduca Sexta ◽  
Abdominal Ganglion ◽  
Suboesophageal Ganglion ◽  
Eclosion Hormone ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Inka Cells ◽  
Behavioural Sequence

Insects shed their old cuticle by performing the ecdysis behavioural sequence. To activate each subunit of this set of programmed behaviours in Manduca sexta, specific central ganglia are targeted by pre-ecdysis-triggering (PETH) and ecdysis-triggering (ETH) hormones secreted from Inka cells. PETH and ETH act on each abdominal ganglion to initiate, within a few minutes, pre-ecdysis I and II, respectively. Shortly thereafter, ETH targets the tritocerebrum and suboesophageal ganglion to activate the ecdysis neural network in abdominal ganglia through the elevation of cyclic GMP (cGMP) levels. However, the onset of ecdysis behaviour is delayed by inhibitory factor(s) from the cephalic and thoracic ganglia. The switch from pre-ecdysis to ecdysis is controlled by an independent clock in each abdominal ganglion and is considerably accelerated after removal of the head and thorax. Eclosion hormone (EH) appears to be one of the central signals inducing elevation of cGMP levels and ecdysis, but these actions are quite variable and usually restricted to anterior ganglia. EH treatment of desheathed ganglia also elicits strong production of cGMP in intact ganglia, suggesting that this induction occurs via the release of additional downstream factors. Our data suggest that the initiation of pre-ecdysis and the transition to ecdysis are regulated by stimulatory and inhibitory factors released within the central nervous system after the initial actions of PETH and ETH.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document