Studying the Activity of Neuropeptides and Other Regulators of the Excretory System in the Adult Mosquito

Summary

This protocol outlines methodologies behind the Ramsay assay, ion-selective microelectrodes, Scanning Ion-selective Electrode Technique (SIET) and in vitro contraction assays, applied to study the adult mosquito excretory system, comprised of the Malpighian tubules and hindgut, to collectively measure ion and fluid secretion rates, contractile activity, and transepithelial ion transport.

Abstract

Studies of insect physiology, particularly in those species that are vectors of pathogens causing disease in humans and other vertebrates, provide the foundation to develop novel strategies for pest control. Here, a series of methods are described that are routinely utilized to determine the functional roles of neuropeptides and other neuronal factors (i.e., biogenic amines) on the excretory system of the mosquito, Aedes aegypti. The Malpighian tubules (MTs), responsible for primary urine formation, can continue functioning for hours when removed from the mosquito, allowing for fluid secretion measurements following hormone treatments. As such, the Ramsay assay is a useful technique to measure secretion rates from isolated MTs. Ion-selective microelectrodes (ISME) can sequentially be used to measure ion concentrations (i.e., Na⁺ and K⁺) in the secreted fluid. This assay allows for the measurement of several MTs at a given time, determining the effects of various hormones and drugs. The Scanning Ion-selective Electrode Technique uses ISME to measure voltage representative of ionic activity in the unstirred layer adjacent to the surface of ion transporting organs to determine transepithelial transport of ions in near real time. This method can be used to understand the role of hormones and other regulators on ion absorption or secretion across epithelia. Hindgut contraction assays are also a useful tool to characterize myoactive neuropeptides, that may enhance or reduce the ability of this organ to remove excess fluid and waste. Collectively, these methods provide insight into how the excretory system is regulated in adult mosquitoes. This is important because functional coordination of the excretory organs is crucial in overcoming challenges such as desiccation stress after eclosion and before finding a suitable vertebrate host to obtain a bloodmeal.

Introduction

Maintenance of salt and water levels in insects allows them to succeed in many ecological and environmental niches, utilizing a variety of feeding strategies¹. Most insects have evolved mechanisms to regulate the composition of their haemolymph within narrow limits in order to withstand the different challenges associated with their particular environment². Terrestrial insects are often faced with the challenge of conserving water and the excretory system undergoes anti-diuresis to prevent loss of water and some essential salts, therefore, avoiding desiccation. In contrast, diuresis occurs when the insect feeds and is ch....

Protocol

1. Making silicone-lined dishes

NOTE: This step should be done prior to the experiments. These dishes will be made to prepare the assay dish for dissections, and for contraction assay experiments.

1. Prepare the silicone using a silicone elastomer kit following the manufacturer’s recommendations. Mix the two-part liquid components at a ratio of 10 to 1. Mix gently and thoroughly by inverting but be sure to minimize bubble formation.
2. Pour the silicone elastomer into sta.......

Discussion

When ingesting a blood meal, haematophagus insects face the challenge of excess solutes and water in their haemolymph². To cope with this, they have a specialized excretory system, which is tightly controlled by hormonal factors, allowing the insects to rapidly initiate post-prandial diuresis. The Ramsay assay and use of ion-selective microelectrodes allows for measurement of fluid secretion rates along with ion concentrations and transport rates in isolated insect MTs. Critical steps within these.......

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
1 mL syringes	Fisher Scientific	14955456
35 mm Petri dishes	Corning Falcon (Fisher Scientific)	C351008
Borosillicate glass capillary filamented tubes (OD 1 mm, ID 0.58 mm, length 100 mm)	World Precision Instruments	1B100F-4	used for ISME reference electrodes
Borosillicate glass capillary filamented tubes (OD 2 mm, ID 1.12 mm, length 102 mm)	World Precision Instruments	1B200F-4	used for SIET reference electrodes
Borosillicate glass capillary unfilamented tubes (OD 1.5 mm, ID 1.12 mm, length 100 mm)	World Precision Instruments	TW150-4	used for ISME and SIET electrodes
CO2 pad	Diamed	GEN59-114
Dimethyltrimethylsilylamine solution	Sigma-Aldrich	41716
Faraday cage	Custom		Can be fabricated by local machine shop
Ferric chloride	Sigma-Aldrich	157740
Forceps (Dumont #5)	Fine Science Tools	91150-20
Glass Petri dish	Fisher Scientific	08-748A
Hydrated mineral oil	Fisher Scientific	8042-47-5	Specific brand is not important
INFINITY1-2CB video camera	Luminera	INFINITY1-2CB
Micromanipulators (left and right handed)	World Precision Instruments	MMJL and MMJR	Specific brand is not important so long as high quality manipulator
Mineral Oil, Light	Fisher Scientific	0121-4
Minutien pins (0.1 mm stainless steel)	Fine Science Tools	26002-10
Non-hardening modeling clay	Sargent Art		Specific brand is not important
Olympus light microscope (FOR SIET)	Olympus	customized system
Plastic Pasteur (transfer) pipette	Fisher Scientific	13-711-7M
Poly-L-lysine solution (0.1 mg/mL)	Sigma-Aldrich	A-005-M	84 kDa
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)	Sigma-Aldrich	81395
Scalpel Blade	Fine Science Tools	10050-00
Scalpel Handle	Fine Science Tools	10053-09
Schneider's Drosophila medium	Sigma-Aldrich	S0146
SIET system	Applicable Electronics	customized system	Details available at: http://www.applicableelectronics.com/overview
Silver wire	World Precision Instruments	AGW1010
Sodium ionophore II cocktail A	Fluka	99357
Standard polystyrene Petri (culture) dishes	Fisherbrand	FB012921	Any size would work, but 60 mm dishes are good for both dissections and assay
Stereomicroscope with ocular micrometer	Nikon	SMZ800
Sutter P-97 Flaming Brown Pipette puller	Sutter Instruments	FGPN7
Sylgard 184 Silicone Elastomer Kit	Dow Chemical Company	NC9285739
Tetrahydrofuran	Sigma-Aldrich	401757
VWR advanced hotplate stirrer - aluminum	VWR	9578	Specific brand is not important