Orcokinin neuropeptides regulate ecdysis in the hemimetabolous insect Rhodnius prolixus

Evidence for a conserved CCAP-signaling pathway controlling ecdysis in a hemimetabolous insect, Rhodnius prolixus

A vital feature in the success of Ecdysozoa is their ability to shed their exoskeleton (a process called ecdysis) such that they can grow or change their morphology. In holometabolous insects, these behaviors are orchestrated by the sequential actions of neuropeptides, one of which is crustacean cardioactive peptide (CCAP). Little is known about the control of ecdysis in hemimetabolous insects....

The Cuticular Pattern in an Insect, Rhodnius Prolixus Stal

Functional design of microvilli in the Malpighian tubules of the insect Rhodnius prolixus.

The Malpighian tubules of Rhodnius prolixus are divided into two regions; the upper tubule, which is the site of isosmotic secretion and haemolymph filtration, and the lower tubule where water and KCl are resorbed. In the upper tubule the microvilli are arranged in clumps consisting of several hundred microvilli lying closely parallel. The microvillar plasma membranes do not touch but are held ...

Salivary apyrase of Rhodnius prolixus

Joao J. F. SARKIS,* Jorge A. GUIMARAESt and Jose M. C. RIBEIRO$ *Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Instituto de Biosciencias, 90.000 Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil, tDepartment of Biochemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Centro de Ciencias da Saude, Bloco H, 21.910 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil, and $Department of Tropical Public Health, Harvard School of Pu...

Exploring the role of insect host factors in the dynamics of Trypanosoma cruzi-Rhodnius prolixus interactions.

Members of the subfamily Triatominae, family Reduviidae, comprise a large number of insect species of which some are vectors of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas' disease. This article outlines research on the process of transformation and the dynamics of developmental stages of Trypanosoma cruzi in the triatomine insect hosts. Special attention is given to the interactions of pa...