Myosuppressin is one of essential peptides controlling biological processes including feeding behavior. Here we identified and characterized the cDNAs that encode myosuppressin precursor and its receptor in the two-spotted cricket Gryllus bimaculatus. The presence of the mature peptide (Grybi-MS) was confirmed by direct measurement of adult brain. RT-PCR revealed the tissue distribution of these transcripts; myosuppressin is expressed predominantly in the brain and central nervous system, whereas its receptor is ubiquitously expressed in the cricket body. To address the function of Grybi-MS, we performed several bioassays to test concerning feeding behavior and digestive function upon exposure to Grybi-MS. Administration of synthetic Grybi-MS resulted in increased feeding motivation, accompanied by an increase in food intake. Meanwhile, the hemolymph lipid and carbohydrate titers were both elevated after Grybi-MS injection. As the intestinal contraction is significantly inhibited by the exposure to Grybi-MS, the upregulating feeding index might be complicated in the cricket body. The current data indicate that Grybi-MS modulates feeding behavior to control the physiological processes in the cricket.
Keywords: Feeding behavior; Gryllus bimaculatus; Myosuppressin; Peptide.
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