Invertebrate Neuropeptide Conference

s are listed in alphabetical order by the last name of the senior author. Identification and expression of Drosophila farnesoic acid o-methyltransferases (FaMeT): an enzyme potentially regulated by neuropeptides W.G. Bendena1, L. Dayton1 and S.S. Tobe2 1Department of Biology, Queen’s University, Kingston ON, Canada. [email protected] 2University of Toronto, Toronto Ontario, Canada. Juvenile hormone plays a central role in the metamorphosis and reproduction of most insect species. The biosynthesis of juvenile hormone within the corpora allata of insects is regulated by neuropeptides. Allatostatin neuropeptides are known to act as inhibitors of juvenile hormone biosynthesis Allatotropin may, in certain insects, act to stimulate JH biosynthesis. These neuropeptides act on a membrane receptor(s) of the corpora allata that activates signal transduction pathway(s). This activation ultimately serves to regulate enzymes in the biosynthetic pathway that converts acetyl CoA to the sesquiterpenoids. Farnesoic acid o-methyltransferase (FAMeT) catalyzes the S-adenosylmethionine dependent conversion of Farnesoic acid to methylfarnesoic acid. It is thought that FAMeT may play a rate-limiting role in juvenile hormone biosynthesis in insects. FAMeT has been identified in the crustaceans, Metapenaeus ensis (shrimp) and Homarus americanus (Lobster). A database search based on sequence identity with crustacean FAMeT has revealed a putative gene product in Drosophila melanogaster. In order to characterize the putative Drosophila FAMeT ortholog’s role in juvenile hormone biosynthesis we have analyzed the protein distribution, activity and in vivo expression. This work was supported by Natural Journal of Insect Science | www.insectscience.org ISSN: 1536-2442 JIS: Invertebrate Neuropeptide Conference 5.22.2005 2 Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. Role of diuretic and antidiuretic peptides in extracellular fluid homeostasis in insects Klaus W. Beyenbach1 1Department of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853.