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Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Crystal Structure of the N-terminal Domain of Ryanodine Receptor from Plutella xylostella
Published on: November 30, 2018
A second gene encodes the anti-diuretic hormone in the insect, Rhodnius prolixus
Jean-Paul Paluzzi1, Ian Orchard
1Department of Biology, University of Toronto Mississauga, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada L5L 1C6. jeanpaul.paluzzi@utoronto.ca
Abstract:
In the haematophagous insect, Rhodnius prolixus, a rapid diuresis following engorgement of vertebrate blood is under the control of two main diuretic hormones: a corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF)-related peptide andserotonin (5HT). A CAP2b (CAPA)-related peptide is involved in the termination of this diuresis, and we have recently identified a gene, now referred to as RhoprCAPA-alpha, encoding CAPA peptides in R. prolixus. Here we identify a second gene, RhoprCAPA-beta, which also encodes CAPA peptides and characterize its expression in fifth-instar and adults. The RhoprCAPA-beta gene is more highly expressed in the CNS than the RhoprCAPA-alpha gene, but neither gene is expressed in other tested adult tissues. Both genes are expressed in a subset of immunoreactive neurons identified using an antisera which recognizes CAP2b-related peptides. The expression of each paralog is modified by feeding and we propose this to be a result of requirements of anti-diuretic regulation during salt and water homeostasis.
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