Distribution of Short Neuropeptide F-like Immunohistochemical Reactivity in the Brain and Midgut of the Terrestrial Isopod, &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Armadillidium vulgare&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; (Latreille)

Maged M A Fouda

doi:10.11648/j.ajls.s.2015030601.21

Abstract

Immunohistochemical reactivity against short neuropeptide F (sNPF-ir) was detected in both the brain–subesophageal ganglion (Br-SOG) and midgut epithelial cells of the isopod, Armadillidium vulgare. More than 194 cell bodies showed immunohistochemical reactivity in the brain and SOG. A wide distribution of sNPF-ir occured in the optic lobe (OL; 82 cells), accessory lobe (AL; 56 cells), central body (CB), tritocerebrum (Tr; 18 cells), circumesophageal connective (COMI; 7 cells), and subesophageal mass (SOG; 25 cells), while no sNPF-ir was observed in the deutocerebrum (DC) and pseudofrontal organ (PFO). sNPF-ir was also detected in both paraneuronal cells and stomatogastric nerve elements in the midgut muscle layer. Immunostaining of cells in the Br-SOG and midgut was blocked by preabsorption test. No difference was found in number or distribution of sNPF-ir between males and females. sNPF is both neuropeptide and midgut factors. This wide distribution suggests that sNPF may not only coordinate feeding and digestion in A. vulgare but also support multiple functions.

Highlights

Neuropeptides are small peptide molecules that are used by neurons to communicate with each other and other tissues
A wide distribution of Short neuropeptide F (sNPF)-ir occured in the optic lobe (OL, fig. 2A-D), accessory lobe (AL, fig. 2C,D), central body
2 H-M), while no sNPF-ir was observed in the deutocerebrum (DC) and pseudofrontal organ (PFO)

Summary

Introduction

Neuropeptides are small peptide molecules that are used by neurons to communicate with each other and other tissues. They are neuronal signaling molecules, influence the activity of the brain in specific ways and are involved in particular brain functions, like learning, memory, sleep, mating, response to aggression, food intake and locomotor activity. The first insect NPF was isolated from Drosophila melanogaster [2] and later, a related one from the mosquito, Aedes aegypti [8]. In D. melanogaster, alterations in the gene for NPF and its receptor are associated with specific feeding and food searching behaviors of larvae under food-deprived conditions [9,10,11]

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