LOCALIZATION OF LEUCOKININ-VIII IN THE COCKROACH, LEUCOPHAEA-MADERAE,USING AN ANTISERUM DIRECTED AGAINST AN ACHETAKININ-I ANALOG

An antiserum against an achetakinin analog selectively localized leuco kinin VIII (LKVIII) in the CNS of Leucophaea maderae. Preabsorption st udies of the achetakinin antiserum with either preimmune serum or LKVI II prevented a positive reaction in both ELISA and immunocytochemical procedures. LKVIII immunoreactive neurons were found in the brain, fro ntal, and subesophageal ganglion, all 3 thoracic ganglia and the termi nal ganglion. Nerves originating from the thoracic and terminal abdomi nal ganglia contain LKVIII material. Lateral and medial neurosecretory cells synthesizing LKVIII-like products contribute axons to the nervi corporis cardiaci that terminate in neurohemal sites in the corpora c ardiaca and nervi corporis allati. Thus, leucokinin VIII, like leucoki nin I (LKI) and leucomyosuppressin (LMS), appears to have both a neuro hemal and neurotransmitter mode of regulating target cells in L. mader ae.