Ultrastructural changes in the Malpighian tubules of the house cricket, Acheta domesticus, at the onset of diuresis: A time study

Abstract

The Malpighian tubules (Mt) of insects are responsible for maintaining osmotic homeostasis and eliminating waste from the hemolymph. When stimulated by diuretic factors the tubule cells are able to transport extraordinary volumes of fluid over short periods of time. We have been studying the changes that occur within the cells that accompany and facilitate this phenomenon. We present the ultrastructural changes that occur in the mid-tubule of the house cricket, Acheta domesticus, following exposure to the second messenger analog, dibutyryl cAMP, over the period from 15–420 sec. Vacuolation of the cytoplasm begins as early as 30 sec poststimulation with a significant increase in vacuolation occurring after 120 sec. As expected, there is an increase in the surface area of the basolateral membrane to facilitate the rapid movement of fluid into the cells. Other ultrastructural changes noted to accompany the onset of diuresis include the movement of mitochondria into areas adjacent to transport membranes, the vesiculation of Golgi, mobilization of CaPO4 spherites, and a direct interaction of these spherites with active mitochondria. We discuss several possible roles for these changes in terms of rapid fluid transport. J. Morphol. 247:80–92, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.