LOCALIZATION OF LOCUSTA-DP IN LOCUST CNS AND HEMOLYMPH SATISFIES INITIAL HORMONAL CRITERIA

Locusta-diuretic peptide (Locusta-DP) is a potent stimulant of fluid s ecretion and cyclic AMP production by locust Malpighian tubules. In th is study, a polyclonal antiserum raised to the C-terminus of Locusta-D P reveals a wide distribution of immunoreactive cell bodies and proces ses throughout the CNS, and endings in two important neurohemal releas e sites: the corpora cardiaca and the perivisceral organs. HPLC fracti onation of CNS, neurohemal structures, and hemolymph reveals immunorea ctive material that coelutes with synthetic Locusta-DP and stimulates cyclic AMP production by locust tubules. The identity of the immunorea ctive and biologically active material is confirmed as authentic Locus ta-DP by mass spectrometry.