EXPRESSION OF C-FOS-LIKE PROTEIN IN THE BRAIN AND PROTHORACIC GLANDS OF GALLERIA-MELLONELLA LARVAE DURING CHILLING STRESS

Expression of c-fos-like protein was examined in the brain and in the prothoracic glands of larvae of the wax moth Galleria mellonella durin g a 3 h chilling (0 degrees C) stress application. Immunohistochemistr y demonstrated that cooling stress had an inductive effect on c-fos-li ke expression in various parts of the brain and the prothoracic gland cells of the last instar Galleria larvae. Especially clear cold induct ion of c-fos expression occurred in lateral and median neurosecretory cells of the pars intercerebralis of the brain. This suggests that the c-fos gene may play a role in the juvenilizing effects of chilling an d on the neuroendocrine basis of this effect. It is suggested that the se neurons may be involved in the transduction of stress signals.