Immunolocalization of a tachykinin-receptor-like protein in the central nervous system of Locusta migratoria migratorioides and Neobellieria bullata

Antisera raised against two distinct peptide regions of the Drosophila neur okinin-like receptor NKD were used to immunolocalize tachykinin-receptor-li ke proteins in the central nervous system of two insect species: the Africa n migratory locust, Locusta migratoria, and the gray fleshfly, Neobellieria bullata. The resulting immunopositive staining patterns were identical for both antisera. Moreover, a very similar distribution of the immunoreactive material was observed in fleshflies and locusts. Immunoreactivity was foun d in nerve terminals of the retrocerebral complex, suggesting a presynaptic localization of the receptor in this part of the brain. Cell bodies were s tained in the subesophageal ganglion: an anterior group of four larger cell s and a posterior group of about 20 cells. These cells have axons projectin g into the contralateral nervus corporis allati (NCA) II, bypassing the cor pus allatum and projecting through the NCA I into the storage part of the c orpus cardiacum. In the glandular part of the corpus cardiacum, the glandul ar adipokinetic hormone-producing cells did not show any immunopositive sta ining. In the locust, additional immunopositive staining was observed in in ternolaterally located neurons of the tritocerebrum and in important integr ative parts of the neuropil such as the central body and the mushroom bodie s. J. Comp. Neurol. 407:415-426, 1999. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.