It is the primary objective of this research to elucidate the mechanisms involved in the control of neurohormone synthesis and release. The complexity of vertebrate neuroendocrine systems has thus far precluded a direct examination of these physiological processes, but since functional and structural homologies exist in the invertebrate neuroendocrine systems fundamental aspects of neuroendocrine physiology can perhaps be better studied in these evolutionarily less complex systems. Of all the invertebrates, insects are the best suited for such research because their neuroendocrine system is fairly simple andis relatively well defined. The insect neurohormone to be used for this study is the prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH), which is the primary hornworm, Manduca sexta, the PTTH neuroendocrine system consists of a unicellular axis from which two forms of a hormone are differentially released at specific times during neurosecretaroy processes, while its functional complexity will provide information about the modes of release of different forms of a neurohormone as well as about their unique actions on a common target gland. This study proposes: 1) to complete the purification of big and small PTTH; 2) to fully characterize the PTTHs released in situ; 3) to generate monoclonal antibodies to the PTTHs with which to develop a PTTH RIA: 4) to investigate with immunocytochemical techniques the syn thesis and transport of PTTH plus its binding and uptake by its target, the prothoracic glands (PG); 5) to define the nature of the environmental control of PTTH synthesis and release and to demonstrate this control in vitro; and 6) to establish the basic biochemistry of the mechanism(s) involved in the activation of the PG by the two forms of PTTH. Contemporary methods in protein purification, hybridoma technology, RIA, EM immunocytochemistry and autoradiography, in vitro cell culture, enzymology and clock biology etc. will be employed in the accomplishment of these objectives. The information resulting from this proposal should provide use with a basis from which to probe in vitro the mechanisms involved in the regulation of neurosecretory processes in general.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01NS018791-04
Application #
3398833
Study Section
Endocrinology Study Section (END)
Project Start
1982-07-01
Project End
1987-06-30
Budget Start
1985-07-01
Budget End
1986-06-30
Support Year
4
Fiscal Year
1985
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Department
Type
Schools of Arts and Sciences
DUNS #
078861598
City
Chapel Hill
State
NC
Country
United States
Zip Code
27599
O'Brien, M A; Katahira, E J; Flanagan, T R et al. (1988) A monoclonal antibody to the insect prothoracicotropic hormone. J Neurosci 8:3247-57
Watson, R D; Bollenbacher, W E (1988) Juvenile hormone regulates the steroidogenic competence of Manduca sexta prothoracic glands. Mol Cell Endocrinol 57:251-9
Bollenbacher, W E; Granger, N A; Katahira, E J et al. (1987) Developmental endocrinology of larval moulting in the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta. J Exp Biol 128:175-92
Whisenton, L R; Granger, N A; Bollenbacher, W E (1987) A kinetics analysis of brain-mediated 20-hydroxyecdysone stimulation of the corpora allata of Manduca sexta. Mol Cell Endocrinol 54:171-8
Whisenton, L R; Kelly, T J; Bollenbacher, W E (1987) Multiple forms of cerebral peptides with steroidogenic functions in pupal and adult brains of the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti. Mol Cell Endocrinol 50:3-14
Whisenton, L R; Watson, R D; Granger, N A et al. (1987) Regulation of juvenile hormone biosynthesis by 20-hydroxyecdysone during the fourth larval instar of the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta. Gen Comp Endocrinol 66:62-70
Watson, R D; Williams, T K; Bollenbacher, W E (1987) Regulation of ecdysone biosynthesis in the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta: titre of the haemolymph stimulatory factor during the last larval instar. J Exp Biol 128:159-73
Dorn, A; Gilbert, L I; Bollenbacher, W E (1987) Prothoracicotropic hormone activity in the embryonic brain of the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta. J Comp Physiol B 157:279-83
Rountree, D B; Bollenbacher, W E (1986) The release of the prothoracicotropic hormone in the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta, is controlled intrinsically by juvenile hormone. J Exp Biol 120:41-58
Ciancio, M J; Watson, R D; Bollenbacher, W E (1986) Competency of Manduca sexta prothoracic glands to synthesize ecdysone during development. Mol Cell Endocrinol 44:171-8

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