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Sugar reception in the blowfly: a possible Ca(++) involvement.
1Dipartimento di Biologia Sperimentale, Sezione di Fisiologia Generale, Università di Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria di Monserrato, SS. 554 Km 4.500, I-09042 (CA), Monserrato, Italy
Journal of Insect Physiology
|May 29, 2003
Summary
This study shows W-7, a calmodulin antagonist, reduces blowfly sugar receptor responses to sucrose and fructose. Calcium
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Insect Physiology
- Sensory Biology
Background:
- Labellar chemosensilla in blowflies are crucial for detecting sugars.
- Calcium signaling pathways are implicated in various sensory transduction processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of calmodulin and calcium (Ca++) in the 'sugar' and 'water' cell responses of blowfly labellar chemosensilla.
- To determine if calcium (Ca++) conductance is involved in sugar reception.
Main Methods:
- Electrophysiological recordings from blowfly labellar chemosensilla.
- Application of W-7 (calmodulin antagonist), EGTA (Ca++ chelator), and SK&F-96365 (calcium influx inhibitor).
- Stimulation with sucrose and fructose.
Main Results:
- W-7 significantly reduced the 'sugar' cell response to both sucrose and fructose, affecting adaptation rate with sucrose.
- EGTA showed no significant effect on sucrose response but reduced fructose effectiveness.
- SK&F-96365 inhibited responses to both sucrose and fructose.
Conclusions:
- Calmodulin and calcium (Ca++) influx play critical roles in the transduction of sugar reception in blowflies.
- The findings suggest a potential mechanism for sugar reception involving calcium signaling pathways.