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Neuroendocrine stimulation of uterine gland protein synthesis in the tsetse fly, Glossina morsitans
Author(s) -
PIMLEY R. W.
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
physiological entomology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.693
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1365-3032
pISSN - 0307-6962
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3032.1983.tb00377.x
Subject(s) - biology , stimulation , secretion , leucine , endocrinology , medicine , amino acid , tsetse fly , in vivo , protein biosynthesis , in vitro , uterus , hormone , biochemistry , ecology , microbiology and biotechnology
. The uterine gland of the tsetse fly Glossina morsitans morsitans Westw. synthesizes a secretion which nourishes the developing larva in the uterus. Aqueous extracts of the brain have been shown to stimulate the synthesis of the protein and amino acid components of this secretion from L‐ [U‐ 14 C]leucine by uterine gland tubules in vivo and in vitro. A linear dose response relationship was demonstrated in vitro with extract concentrations ranging from 1 × 10 ‐4 to 1 × 10 ‐2 brains μl ‐1 . The maximum response, a > 300% increase in the rate of protein and amino acid synthesis, was achieved with as little as 1 × 10 ‐2 brains μl ‐1 The concentration of active factor(s) in the brain declined during a single interlarval period coincident with the period of release of secretion associated with larval growth. The stimulatory activity in brain extracts was destroyed by proteolytic enzymes indicating that it is probably a protein or peptide. Results suggest that the active factor(s) is a hormone responsible for the stimulation of uterine gland protein synthesis essential for larval nutrition.