Cytoskeletal F-actin patterns in whole-mounted insect Malpighian tubules

The distribution of actin filaments in Malpighian tubules of the fleshfly Sarcophaga bullata (Parker) was investigated before and after metamorphosis by means of the rhodamine phalloidin staining method. The numerous primary cells show a pattern of thick basal actin bundles resembling stress fibres of cultured cells, while the apical microvillar zone shows a bright and homogeneous labelling. The less abundant stellate cells contain no such basal actin bundles and their apical microvillar zone gets only faintly stained. Late larval stages display fingerlike infoldings and an increased actin filament concentration at the apical membrane of the stellate cells. During metamorphosis the Malpighian tubules dedifferentiate and eventually redifferentiate to give rise to adult tubules resembling larval ones. The different types of actin filament organisation in the primary and stellate cells of the Malpighian tubules are discussed.