Characterization of transepithelial potential oscillations in the Drosophila Malpighian tubule.

Characterization of Transepithelial Potential Oscillations in the <em>Drosophila</em> Malpighian Tubule

Calcium transport by isolated anterior and posterior Malpighian tubules of Drosophila melanogaster: roles of sequestration and secretion.

Ca(2+) transport was examined in isolated Malpighian tubules (MTs) of adult Drosophila melanogaster. All segments of both anterior and posterior MTs have substantial capacity to transport Ca(2+) and to play a role, therefore, in calcium homeostasis and elimination of excess dietary Ca(2+). Approximately 85% of Ca(2+) which enters the tubule is sequestered, and approximately 15% is secreted in s...

Use of the Ramsay Assay to Measure Fluid Secretion and Ion Flux Rates in the Drosophila melanogaster Malpighian Tubule.

Modulation of renal epithelial ion transport allows organisms to maintain ionic and osmotic homeostasis in the face of varying external conditions. The Drosophila melanogaster Malpighian (renal) tubule offers an unparalleled opportunity to study the molecular mechanisms of epithelial ion transport, due to the powerful genetics of this organism and the accessibility of its renal tubules to physi...

Effects of leucokinin-VIII on Aedes Malpighian tubule segments lacking stellate cells.

The diuretic peptide leucokinin is known to increase fluid secretion in Malpighian tubules of the yellow fever mosquito Aedes aegypti by increasing a transepithelial Cl(-) conductance. The present study sought to examine whether stellate cells provided this transepithelial conductance in Aedes Malpighian tubules as they do in Drosophila Malpighian tubules. Aedes Malpighian tubule segments with ...

Organic cation transport by Malpighian tubules of Drosophila melanogaster: application of two novel electrophysiological methods.

Transport of the prototypical organic cation tetraethylammonium (TEA) by the Malpighian tubules, ureters and gut of Drosophila melanogaster was studied using two novel electrophysiological techniques. Both techniques exploited the high selectivity of the cation exchanger potassium tetra-p-chlorophenylborate for tetraalkylammonium compounds relative to inorganic cations such as K(+). In the firs...