Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 3, 2026

Use of the Ramsay Assay to Measure Fluid Secretion and Ion Flux Rates in the Drosophila melanogaster Malpighian Tubule
Published on: November 25, 2015
5-Hydroxytryptamine stimulates fluid secretion in locust malpighian tubules independently of cAMP
Abstract:
5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) stimulates fluid secretion by semi-isolated Malpighian tubules of Locusta in a dose-dependent manner. The threshold of stimulation is between 10(-8) and 10(-7) M 5-HT; maximal activation occurs at doses greater than 10(-6) M. Relative to the activation induced by diuretic hormone (storage lobe extracts), 5-HT increases the rate of fluid secretion by only 65%. Phentolamine, the alpha-adrenergic blocker, failed to inhibit either DH or 5-HT stimulated secretion. Diuretic hormone raises the levels of intracellular of cAMP, and activates adenylate cyclase in plasma membrane preparations of Locusta Malpighian tubules. 5-HT (10(-4) M) has no effect in either assay system. Thus 5-HT can stimulate fluid secretion independently of cAMP. A hypothetical model for hormone stimulated fluid secretion by Locusta Malpighian tubules, involving dual-receptor activation, is proposed. Other biogenic amines, including octopamine, adrenalin, dopamine, synephrine and the formamidine chlordimeform were tested for their ability to stimulate fluid secretion. Only dopamine showed a weakly stimulatory effect.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Osmoregulation in Insects
GPCRs Regulate Adenylyl Cylase Activity
Two...
Regulation of Hormone Secretion
Humoral stimuli,...
The Pineal Gland
The primary secretion of the pineal gland is the hormone melatonin, derived from serotonin. The concentration of melatonin in the...
Regulation of Food Intake
Regulation of Water Intake

