Distribution and Physiological Effects of Adipokinetic Hormone (AKH), Corazonin and AKH/corazonin-related Peptide (ACP) in the Kissing Bug, Rhodnius prolixus

• Main Author: Patel, Himali
• Other Authors: Lange, Angela
• Language: en_ca
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: Insects; Neuropeptides; 0433
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/1807/43287

Rhodnius prolixus is a medically-important hemipteran that serves as a vector of Chagas disease. The distribution and physiological effects of three sequence-related neuropeptides, adipokinetic hormone (AKH), corazonin (CRZ) and AKH/corazonin-related peptide (ACP) have been investigated in R. prolixus. Immunohistochemistry revealed that AKH, CRZ and ACP are not co-localized but are found within a different subset of cells and processes within the central nervous system. Physiologically, CRZ significantly increased the heartbeat rate whereas AKH and ACP did not. AKH significantly increased haemolymph lipid levels whereas CRZ and ACP did not. There is no known function for ACP. Preliminary studies indicated that CRZ may be involved in gating of ecdysis.