Cloning and tissue distribution of two Na+/H+ exchangers from the Malpighian tubules of Aedes aegypti.

A Na(+)/H(+) exchanger (NHE) on the apical membrane of mosquito Malpighian tubule (MT) cells is believed to participate in the blood-feeding mosquito's vital secretion of Na(+) and fluid. This study presents the molecular cloning, primary structure, and tissue distribution of two cDNAs encoding Aedes aegypti mosquito MT NHEs. The cDNA sequences were obtained from mosquito MT total RNA using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and 5' and 3' rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). The two sequences encode proteins of 678 and 1,179 amino acids with calculated molecular weights of 74,473 and 130,276, respectively. When comparing the 678 amino acid protein to the first 678 amino acids of the other protein, the two clones show 98% identity to each other. They also exhibit high identity to Drosophila melanogaster NHEs. Hydropathy analysis reveals that while both clones have 10-13 transmembrane segments, the 1,179 amino acid protein has an extensive carboxy terminus while the 678 amino acid protein has an extremely short carboxy terminus. RT-PCR analysis shows that both clones are expressed in the mosquito Malpighian tubules at the larval and pupal stages, in addition to the adult stage before and after blood-feeding. Expression of both clones was also detected in adult mosquito ovaries, midguts, and hindguts.

Na(+)/H(+) exchange in mosquito Malpighian tubules.

Fluid secretion and intracellular pH were measured in isolated mosquito Malpighian tubules to determine the presence of Na(+)/H(+) exchange. Rates of fluid secretion by individual Malpighian tubules in vitro were inhibited by 78% of control in the presence of 100 microM 5-(N-ethyl-n-isopropyl)-amiloride (EIPA), a specific inhibitor of Na(+)/H(+) exchange. Steady-state intracellular pH was measured microfluorometrically by using 2', 7'-bis(2-carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein in individual Malpighian tubules. Bathing the Malpighian tubules in 0 mM extracellular Na(+) or in the presence of 100 microM EIPA reduced the steady-state intracellular pH by 0.5 pH units. Stimulation of the Na(+)/H(+) exchanger by using the NH(4)Cl pulse technique resulted in a rate of recovery from the NH(4)Cl-induced acute acid load of 8.7 +/- 1.0 x 10(-3) pH/s. The rates of recovery of intracellular pH after the acute acid load in the absence of extracellular Na(+) or in the presence of 100 microM EIPA were 0.7 +/- 0.6 and -0.3 +/- 0.3 x 10(-3) pH/s, respectively. These results indicate that mosquito Malpighian tubules possess a Na(+)/H(+) exchanger.

Intracellular and luminal pH measurements of Malpighian tubules of the mosquito Aedes aegypti: the effects of cAMP.

In order to understand the critical role that hydrogen ions play in fluid secretion in Malpighian tubules, intracellular and luminal pH and K+ measurements were performed in isolated Malpighian tubules of the yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti). The intracellular pH was 7.03+/-0.05 (n=15 Malpighian tubules (MT)) and the luminal pH was 7.19+/-0.09 (n=99 MT) when bathed in saline at a pH of 7.0. The lumen potential is positive, thus net proton secretion into the lumen is active. The intracellular and the luminal K+ concentrations were 75+/- 9 mM (n=15) and 102+/-13 mM (n=9 MT) respectively. Cyclic AMP analogues accelerated fluid secretion and at the same time acidified the cell without affecting the luminal pH. Both effects were abolished by an isomer of adenosine-3',5' cyclic monophosphothioate (cAMPS), the Rp-cAMPS, known to inhibit protein kinase A. The results suggest that in the presence of cAMP the properties of the cation/H+ exchanger are affected and that this may be a result of phosphorylation of a Na+/2H+ antiporter located on the apical membrane.

A single cDNA encodes all three Aedes leucokinins, which stimulate both fluid secretion by the malpighian tubules and hindgut contractions.

A cDNA encoding preproleucokinin was isolated from a cDNA library of the mosquito Aedes aegypti. The deduced amino acid sequence of Aedes preproleucokinin contains a putative signal peptide of 18 amino acid residues and a 210-amino acid residue proleucokinin. Within the proleucokinin are encoded one copy each of the Aedes leucokinins 1, 2, and 3 isolated previously from this species (Veenstra, J. A. (1994) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 202, 715-719). All three Aedes leucokinins depolarize the transepithelial voltage of the malpighian tubule in concentrations of less than 10(-9) M and increase the frequency of hindgut contractions at concentrations above 10(-8) M. At higher concentrations the Aedes leucokinins 1 and 3 but not Aedes leucokinin 2 are also able to increase the rate of fluid secretion by the malpighian tubules. The differences of the three Aedes leucokinins in their potencies to induce fluid secretion or depolarizations in the malpighian tubules suggest that there may be more than one type of leucokinin receptor in this tissue.

Immunohistological localization of regulatory peptides in the midgut of the female mosquito Aedes aegypti.

The midgut of the female mosquito Aedes aegypti was studied immunohistologically with antisera to various regulatory peptides. Endocrine cells immunoreactive with antisera to perisulfakinin, RFamide, bovine pancreatic polypeptide, urotensin 1, locustatachykinin 2 and allatostatins A1 and B2 were found in the midgut. Perisulfakinin, RFamide and bovine pancreatic polypeptide all react with the same, about 500 endocrine cells, which were evenly distributed throughout the posterior midgut, with the exception of its most frontal and caudal regions. In addition, these antisera recognized three to five neurons in each ingluvial ganglion and their axons, which ran longitudinally over the anterior midgut, as well as axons innervating the pyloric sphincter. The latter axons appear to be derived from neurons located in the abdominal ganglia. Antisera to two different allatostatins recognized about 70 endocrine cells in the most caudal area of the posterior midgut and axons in the anterior midgut whose cell bodies were probably located in either the brain or the frontal ganglion. Antiserum to locustatachykinin 2 recognized endocrine cells present in the anterior midgut and the most frontal part of the posterior midgut, as well as about 50 cells in the most caudal region of the posterior midgut. Urotensin 1 immunoreactivity was found in endocrine cells in the same region as the perisulfakinin-immunoreactive cells, but no urotensin-immunoreactive axons were found in the midgut. Double labeling experiments showed that the urotensin and perisulfakinin immunoreactivities were located in different cells. Such experiments also showed that the locustatachykinin and allatostatin immunoreactivities in the most caudal area of the posterior midgut were present in different cells. No immunoreactivity was found in the mosquito midgut when using antisera to corazonin, allatropin or leucokinin IV. Since these peptides have either been isolated from, or can reasonably be expected to be present in mosquitoes, it was concluded that these peptides are not present in the mosquito midgut.

Glomerular vascular resistance to blood flow: a brief review.

It is accepted that glomerular vascular resistance to blood flow is represented by a pressure drop of only a few mm Hg, but the hemodynamic basis for this concept is generally not well known. Our purpose is to review the evidence supporting the low resistance concept and to provide an explanation based on the fact that the glomerular network consists of 20-40 capillary loops placed 'in parallel' which markedly reduce the viscous resistance to flow (analogous to electrical circuits). A low pressure drop in the glomerular capillaries would be significant in filtration function.

Arachidonic acid and prostaglandin E2 in Malpighian tubules of female yellow fever mosquitoes.

The fatty acid compositions of Malpighian tubules from adult females of the mosquito Aedes aegypti were determined for total lipids, phospholipids, triacylglycerols and three phospholipid fractions, namely phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylinositol/phosphatidylserine (PI/PS). The prostaglandin precursor arachidonic acid (20:4n-6) occurred in total lipids and phospholipids, but not triacylglycerols. Within phospholipids, nearly all of the 20:4n-6 was detected in PC, with only traces in PE, and none was detected in PI/PS. Isolated Malpighian tubules incorporated exogenous radioactive 20:4n-6 into tissue phospholipids and diacylglycerols, with most of the radioactivity recovered in diacylglycerol. These data indicate selective incorporation of 20:4n-6 into tissue lipids. PGE2 was detected in Malpighian tubule whole mounts by immunohistochemical staining. These findings support the idea that prostaglandins are physiologically active in mosquito Malpighian tubules.

Dibutyryl cAMP activates bumetanide-sensitive electrolyte transport in Malpighian tubules.

The effects of dibutyryl adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (DBcAMP) and bumetanide (both 10(-4) M) on transepithelial Na+, K+, Cl-, and fluid secretion and on tubule electrophysiology were studied in isolated Malpighian tubules of the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti. Peritubular DBcAMP significantly increased Na+, Cl-, and fluid secretion but decreased K+ secretion. In DBcAMP-stimulated tubules, bumetanide caused Na+, Cl-, and fluid secretion to return to pre-cAMP control rates and K+ secretion to decrease further. Peritubular bumetanide significantly increased Na+ secretion and decreased K+ secretion so that Cl- and fluid secretion did not change. In bumetanide-treated tubules, the secretagogue effects of DBcAMP are blocked. In isolated Malpighian tubules perfused with symmetrical Ringer solution, DBcAMP significantly hyperpolarized the transepithelial voltage (VT) and depolarized the basolateral membrane voltage (Vbl) with no effect on apical membrane voltage (Va). Total transepithelial resistance (RT) and the fractional resistance of the basolateral membrane (fRbl) significantly decreased. Bumetanide also hyperpolarized VT and depolarized Vbl, however without significantly affecting RT and fRbl. Together these results suggest that, in addition to stimulating electroconductive transport, DBcAMP also activates a nonconductive bumetanide-sensitive transport system in Aedes Malpighian tubules.

Leucokinins, a new family of ion transport stimulators and inhibitors in insect Malpighian tubules.

Leucokinins are octapeptides isolated from heads of the cockroach Leucophaea maderae. In the cockroach they increase motility of the isolated hindgut. Surprisingly, synthetic leucokinins have biological activity in a different insect and in a different tissue. In isolated Malpighian tubules of the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti, leucokinins depolarize the transepithelial voltage. This effect on voltage is dependent on extracellular Cl. One leucokinin, LK-8, the effects of which were studied further in isolated Malpighian tubules, was found to inhibit transepithelial fluid secretion at low concentrations (10(-11) M threshold), and to stimulate fluid secretion at high concentrations (3.5 x 10(-9) M threshold). Together, the depolarizing effects on voltage and the stimulation of fluid secretion suggest that leucokinins increase the Cl permeability of the tubule wall thereby increasing the availability of Cl for secretion with Na, K and water. Structure-function comparisons of the seven leucokinins studied suggest that the active region of the octapeptide is segregated to the C-terminal pentapeptide. In view of the known effects of leucokinins on hindgut motility in the cockroach, our finding of effects in mosquito Malpighian tubules suggests that leucokinins may be widely distributed in insects where they may have diverse functions in a variety of organs.

Hormone-controlled cAMP-mediated fluid secretion in yellow-fever mosquito.

Evidence is presented for hormone-controlled adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP)-mediated NaCl diuresis in Malpighian tubules of the blood-feeding yellow-fever mosquito Aedes aegypti. Studies in isolated Malpighian tubules reveal that cAMP added to the peritubular bath selectively stimulates NaCl secretion and not KCl secretion by increasing the Na conductance of the basolateral membrane of primary cells. These effects are duplicated by forskolin and theophylline in parallel with increased intracellular concentrations of endogenous cAMP. Two natriuretic peptides that we have isolated by high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) methods from mosquito heads also increase NaCl and fluid secretion in isolated Malpighian tubules together with increased intracellular levels of cAMP. These results are consistent with a mechanism of NaCl diuresis in which the natriuretic peptides and cAMP are respectively the primary and secondary messengers that couple the ingestion of a blood meal to the excretion of the unwanted salt and water fraction of the meal. This hypothesis is supported by in vivo studies that reveal elevated intracellular cAMP levels in Malpighian tubules at the time of maximum NaCl diuresis.

Renal proximal tubule of flounder. I. Physiological properties.

The proximal segment of the winter flounder, Pseudopleuronectes americanus, was investigated. Isolated tubules net secrete fluid, although at low rates, 37 pl X min-1 X mm-1. The dominant ions in secreted fluid are Na and Cl, with [Cl] significantly higher than in the bath. Mg and SO4 concentrations in secreted fluid are more than 10-fold greater than in the bath. The transepithelial voltage (-1.9 mV) and resistance (26 omega X cm2) indicate an electrically leaky epithelium, and transepithelial diffusion potentials suggest the Na selectivity of the paracellular pathway. Transepithelial electrochemical potentials point to active transport of Mg, SO4, and probably also Cl and to transepithelial equilibrium of Na. Failure to observe any secretory transport in tubules perfused in vitro at the commonly used perfusion rates illustrates the necessity of low, preferably subnanoliter, perfusion rates in detecting and studying low-capacity epithelial transport systems by the method of Burg.

Peptide nature of two mosquito natriuretic factors.

High-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) of saline extracts of Aedes aegypti heads yields three fractions (from a total of 108) that affect transepithelial voltage and/or fluid secretion in isolated Aedes Malpighian tubules. In this study we investigated the physical and chemical nature of the active materials in these fractions. Gel-filtration chromatography revealed that the molecular weights of the three fractions were between 1,900 and 2,700. To test their thermostability the fractions were repeatedly frozen and thawed over a period of 110 days without loss of biological activity. Boiling at 100 degrees C for 5 min failed to significantly reduce their biological effects in isolated Malpighian tubules. In contrast, treatment with the proteolytic enzyme mixture, pronase, destroyed activity in all three. Fraction I no longer depolarized the transepithelial voltage of in vitro perfused Malpighian tubules, and fractions II and III completely lost their ability to stimulate fluid secretion and to affect transepithelial voltage. We conclude that our HPLC isolation yields a heterogeneous group of three polar low-molecular weight peptides. Expression of their biological activities in Malpighian tubules depends on intact peptide bonds.

Preliminary isolation of mosquito natriuretic factor.

A natriuretic factor that triggers diuresis in isolated Malpighian tubules of the mosquito was isolated from the head of the yellow-fever mosquito Aedes aegypti by passing a saline extract of mosquito heads through low-pressure and then high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) columns. Three fractions with biologic activity eluted during a reverse-phase HPLC linear acetonitrile gradient run. Fraction I depolarized the transepithelial voltage (Vt) of isolated perfused Malpighian tubules but did not not stimulate fluid secretion in the Ramsay assay (J. A. Ramsay, J. Exp. Biol. 31: 104-113, 1954). Fraction II depolarized and fraction III hyperpolarized Vt, and both stimulated fluid secretion three- to fourfold. Even though the effects of fractions II and III on Vt differed, both stimulated fluid secretion by increasing the rate of NaCl secretion without affecting K secretion. The selective stimulation of active secretory Na transport by fraction III is mimicked by cyclic AMP (cAMP), suggesting the second messenger role of cAMP in the effects of fraction III. Because fraction III stimulates a NaCl-rich, as opposed to KCl-rich, fluid, the term mosquito natriuretic factor is proposed for this active fraction.

Partial purification of egg development neurosecretory hormone with reverse-phase liquid chromatographic techniques.

We report the use of reverse-phase liquid chromatographic techniques for the isolation of a steroidogenic neuropeptide (EDNH) from mosquito heads. Activity of fractions was assayed by measuring the ability of ovaries to produce ecdysteroid in vitro. Dose response profiles using crude head extracts or partially purified EDNH were nearly identical, indicating that the methods of preparation did not alter biological activity. EDNH activity eluted from a reverse-phase HPLC (RP-HPLC) column primarily near 35 percent acetonitrile using a linear gradient. Methods developed with an analytical RP-HPLC column were successfully adapted for preparative work. Active fractions from the preparative RP-HPLC were further purified on a second analytical column under isocratic conditions at 30% acetonitrile. Two adjacent UV absorbing peaks were found, each with EDNH activity. Activity was sensitive to proteolysis.