Trehalase from the bean-shaped accessory glands and the spermatophore of the male mealworm beetle,Tenebrio molitor

1988 ◽  
Vol 157 (6) ◽  
pp. 765-770 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toshinobu Yaginuma ◽  
George M. Happ
Keyword(s):  
Tenebrio Molitor ◽  
Accessory Glands ◽  
Mealworm Beetle

Ultrastructure of the epithelium of the upper ejaculatory duct of the mealworm beetle, Tenebrio molitor

1987 ◽  
Vol 45 ◽  
pp. 814-815
Author(s):  
S. Bricker ◽  
G. M. Happ
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Transmission Electron Microscopy ◽  
Ejaculatory Duct ◽  
Tenebrio Molitor ◽  
Shear Forces ◽  
Accessory Glands ◽  
Ultrastructural Evidence ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Mealworm Beetle ◽  
Quinone Tanning

The male mealworm, Tenebrio molitor produces a spermatophore to facilitate transfer of sperm to the female. The wall of the spermatophore is largely produced from the secretions of the paired bean-shaped accessory glands (BAGs). As the cottony pre-spermatophoric mass from the BAGs comes together in the ejaculatory duct where it is molded into the spermatophore, it becomes tougher and more elastic. The mechanisms involved in this stabilization of the wall of the spermatophore were unknown. Mechanisms of stabilization of other acellular structures assembled in extracellular space include quinone-tanning and β-sclerotization in cuticle, shear forces in silk, and pH changes in the spermatophore of Rhodnius. The cells found in the epithelium of the upper ejaculatory duct of the mealworm beetle were examined by transmission electron microscopy for ultrastructural evidence of a role in the stabilization of the spermatophore wall.

Formation of spermatophore in ejaculatory duct of yellow mealworm beetle, Tenebrio molitor: SEM study

1992 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 674-675
Author(s):  
Frantíšek Weyda ◽  
George M. Happ
Keyword(s):  
Seminal Fluid ◽  
Ejaculatory Duct ◽  
Tenebrio Molitor ◽  
High Viscosity ◽  
Secretory Cells ◽  
Main Role ◽  
Whole Process ◽  
Accessory Glands ◽  
Low Viscosity ◽  
Mealworm Beetle

Main role of the accessory glands of Tenebrio molitor male is to facilitate transfer of sperm to the females. They produce heterogeneous secretions. Two anatomically distinct glands are present. While the tubular accessory glands (TAG) are composed of the secretory cells of one type only, the bean-shaped accessory glands (BAG) consist of eight cellular types. Low viscosity secretion of the TAG mix with sperms forming seminal fluid while high viscosity secretions (spermatophorins) of the BAG are largely transformed into the insoluble wall and core of the spermatophore. The prespermatophoric mass is transferred to the ejaculatory duct (EJD) where solidify and forms the complex spermatophore. Immunocytochemical experiments with monoclonal antibodies based on the colloidal gold technique were used in order to understand exact composition of individual layers of the spermatophore. In the recent study we have used SEM to observe the whole process of the formation of spermatophore in the ejaculatory duct.

scholarly journals Trehalase from male accessory gland of an insect, Tenebrio molitor. cDNA sequencing and developmental profile of the gene expression

1992 ◽  
Vol 288 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-22 ◽  
Author(s):  
M Takiguchi ◽  
T Niimi ◽  
Z H Su ◽  
T Yaginuma
Keyword(s):  
Tenebrio Molitor ◽  
Northern Blotting ◽  
Accessory Gland ◽  
Specific Gene ◽  
Cdna Sequencing ◽  
Gene Expressions ◽  
Accessory Glands ◽  
Stage Specificity ◽  
Mealworm Beetle ◽  
Rabbit Small Intestine

A cDNA of alpha alpha-trehalase (EC 3.2.1.28) from a cDNA library of male bean-shaped accessory gland of the mealworm beetle, Tenebrio molitor, has been isolated by the homology screening approach. Sequence analysis of the cDNA (1830 bp) revealed that the cDNA encoded a protein of 555 amino acids with a calculated M(r) of 64457. The deduced amino acid sequence had significant similarities to rabbit small intestine and Escherichia coli trehalases. Northern blotting and semi-quantitative PCR analyses revealed that a trehalase transcript with about 2.0 kb was abundant in bean-shaped accessory glands. In the glands, the amount of trehalase transcript increased from 1 to 2 days after adult ecdysis. These tissue- and stage-specific gene expressions of trehalase corresponded to the tissue- and stage-specificity of trehalase activity.

scholarly journals A possible role of tachykinin-related peptide on an immune system activity of mealworm beetle, Tenebrio molitor L.

2021 ◽  
Vol 120 ◽  
pp. 104065
Author(s):  
A. Urbański ◽  
N. Konopińska ◽  
J. Lubawy ◽  
K. Walkowiak-Nowicka ◽  
P. Marciniak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Tenebrio Molitor ◽  
System Activity ◽  
Related Peptide ◽  
Mealworm Beetle

Head movements of the mealworm beetle Tenebrio molitor

1980 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 109-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. Varj� ◽  
J. Bolz
Keyword(s):  
Tenebrio Molitor ◽  
Head Movements ◽  
Mealworm Beetle

scholarly journals The Humidity Behaviour of the Mealworm Beetle, Tenebrio Molitor L

1940 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 295-306
Author(s):  
D. P. PIELOU
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Work ◽  
Tenebrio Molitor ◽  
Locomotory Activity ◽  
Gradual Reduction ◽  
Quantitative Distribution ◽  
Mealworm Beetle ◽  
Maxillary Palps ◽  
Humidity Reaction

1. Removal of both antennae of the mealworm beetle, Tenebrio molitor, completely abolishes the animal's reaction to humidity. Removal of both maxillary palps has no effect on the reaction. 2. The quantitative distribution of the five types of sensillae present along the eleven segments of the antenna is described. Two of these types occur also on the maxillary palps. 3. Progressive symmetrical amputation of antennal segments leads to a gradual reduction of the humidity reaction to zero; there is a reaction with four segments remaining on each side and no reaction when only three segments remain. 4. Asymmetrical amputation of the more basal segments shows that humidity receptors are nevertheless present on these and that a threshold number of sensillae must be left in action before a reaction occurs. 5. The experimental work, taken in combination with observations in the distribution of sensillae, shows that the pit peg organs are hygro-receptive. Either the peg organs or the bristles or both are hygro-receptive as well. It is, however, unlikely that the bristles are hygro-receptive. 6. Experimental work on the locomotory activity of this beetle shows that the conclusions are not invalidated by any general ill effects of amputation of antennae. 7. It is suggested that the hygro-receptors function hygroscopically.

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