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The neurotoxic mechanism of Jack Bean Urease in insects involves the interplay between octopaminergic and
Yuri Correia Barreto1, Raquel Soares Oliveira1, Bruna Trindade Borges1
1Laboratório de Neurobiologia e Toxinologia (LANETOX), Universidade Federal do Pampa, Campus São Gabriel, São Gabriel, RS, Brazil.
Pesticide Biochemistry and Physiology
|December 22, 2022
Summary
Jatropha curcas latex (JBU) exhibits neurotoxicity in cockroaches, impacting exploratory activity and neuromuscular function. Its effects involve interactions with octopaminergic and dopaminergic systems, not serotonergic ones.
Area of Science:
- Entomology
- Neuroscience
- Toxicology
Background:
- Jatropha curcas latex (JBU) and its peptides show potential as natural insecticides due to their interaction with insects.
- Understanding the specific mechanisms of JBU's entomotoxicity is crucial for developing novel pest control strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the neurotoxic effects of JBU on the monoaminergic pathways in Nauphoeta cinerea cockroaches.
- To elucidate the specific neurotransmitter systems involved in JBU's insecticidal activity.
Main Methods:
- Pharmacological dissection of monoaminergic pathways using selective modulators in vivo and ex vivo.
- Behavioral analysis of N. cinerea neurolocomotory activity.
- Electrophysiological recordings of neuromuscular preparations and neural action potentials.
Main Results:
- JBU significantly reduced exploratory activity and induced neuromuscular blockade in N. cinerea.
- Pretreatment with phentolamine, SCH23390, or reserpine blocked JBU's neurotoxic effects.
- JBU decreased neural action potentials, an effect prevented by phentolamine, SCH23390, or reserpine, but not mianserin.
Conclusions:
- JBU's neurotoxicity in N. cinerea involves cross-talk between octopaminergic and dopaminergic systems.
- Serotonergic neurotransmission is not implicated in JBU's observed neurotoxic effects.
- Further studies are needed to identify specific insect receptors targeted by JBU.
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