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Science 5 January 1979:
Vol. 203. no. 4375, pp. 65 - 68
DOI: 10.1126/science.214856
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Articles

Science, Vol 203, Issue 4375, 65-68
Copyright © 1979 by American Association for the Advancement of Science

articles

Octopamine receptors, adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate, and neural control of firefly flashing

JA Nathanson

An adenylate cyclase activated as much as 25-fold by low concentrations of octopamine has been identified in the firefly lantern. The relative potency of octopamine and various other amines in stimulating this enzyme, and effects of antagonists in blocking octopamine activation, correlate well with the known effects of these agents in affecting light production. In addition to suggesting a role for adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (or pyrophosphate) in the neural control of firefly flashing, identification of this potent enzyme should facilitate the characterization of phenylethylamine receptors in excitable tissue.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Fireflies at One Hundred Plus: A New Look at Flash Control.
H. Ghiradella and J. T. Schmidt (2004)
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Nitric Oxide and the Control of Firefly Flashing.
B. A. Trimmer, J. R. Aprille, D. M. Dudzinski, C. J. Lagace, S. M. Lewis, T. Michel, S. Qazi, and R. M. Zayas (2001)
Science 292, 2486-2488
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Effects of catecholamines and purines on luminescence in the brittlestar Amphipholis squamata (Echinodermata).
N De Bremaeker, F Baguet, and J Mallefet (2000)
J. Exp. Biol. 203, 2015-2023
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Characterization of Drosophila Tyramine beta -Hydroxylase Gene and Isolation of Mutant Flies Lacking Octopamine.
M. Monastirioti, C. E. Linn, Jr., and K. White (1996)
J. Neurosci. 16, 3900-3911
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Efferent fibers to Limulus eyes synthesize and release octopamine.
B. Batelle, J. Evans, and S. Chamberlain (1982)
Science 216, 1250-1252
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Formamidine Pesticides: Octopamine-Like Actions in a Firefly.
R. M. HOLLINGWORTH and L. L. MURDOCK (1980)
Science 208, 74-76
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