Balancing the acid-base books
Few quantities in the body are maintained as tightly as acidity: measured as the concentration of protons (H+) in our fluids. Blood pH normally stays between 7.35 and 7.45. A drift of a few tenths either way is enough to significantly stall enzymes, disturb heart rhythm and cloud consciousness. The body’s efforts to keep pH […]
Pharmacological asceticism
In the TV adaptation of John le Carré’s cold war novel, Smiley’s People, a foreign agent is interrogated by intelligence officers about his first meeting with Karla, his austere boss and manipulator: “On the hill, is a small dacha, a few lights, no luxuries. Who is this strange baron, I ask myself, who can live […]
Ex vivo fluid secretion (Ramsay) assay
Abstract Insects have evolved a variety of neurohormones that enable them to maintain nutrient and osmotic homeostasis. Here, we characterized the ion transport peptide (ITP) signaling system in Drosophila. The Drosophila ITP gene can generate three different peptide isoforms: ITP amidated (ITPa) and two ITP-like (ITPL1 and ITPL2) isoforms. We comprehensively characterized the expression of all three ITP […]
Identification of Gyc76C as a putative ITP receptor
Abstract Insects have evolved a variety of neurohormones that enable them to maintain nutrient and osmotic homeostasis. Here, we characterized the ion transport peptide (ITP) signaling system in Drosophila. The Drosophila ITP gene can generate three different peptide isoforms: ITP amidated (ITPa) and two ITP-like (ITPL1 and ITPL2) isoforms. We comprehensively characterized the expression of all three ITP […]
Gyc76C characterization in HEK293T cells
Abstract Insects have evolved a variety of neurohormones that enable them to maintain nutrient and osmotic homeostasis. Here, we characterized the ion transport peptide (ITP) signaling system in Drosophila. The Drosophila ITP gene can generate three different peptide isoforms: ITP amidated (ITPa) and two ITP-like (ITPL1 and ITPL2) isoforms. We comprehensively characterized the expression of all three ITP […]
Synaptic connectivity analyses and data visualization
Abstract Insects have evolved a variety of neurohormones that enable them to maintain nutrient and osmotic homeostasis. Here, we characterized the ion transport peptide (ITP) signaling system in Drosophila. The Drosophila ITP gene can generate three different peptide isoforms: ITP amidated (ITPa) and two ITP-like (ITPL1 and ITPL2) isoforms. We comprehensively characterized the expression of all three ITP […]
ITP neurons release multiple neuropeptides to regulate systemic homeostasis
Abstract Insects have evolved a variety of neurohormones that enable them to maintain nutrient and osmotic homeostasis. Here, we characterized the ion transport peptide (ITP) signaling system in Drosophila. The Drosophila ITP gene can generate three different peptide isoforms: ITP amidated (ITPa) and two ITP-like (ITPL1 and ITPL2) isoforms. We comprehensively characterized the expression of all three ITP […]
Anti-diuretic hormone ITP signals via a guanylate cyclase receptor to modulate systemic homeostasis in Drosophila
Abstract Insects have evolved a variety of neurohormones that enable them to maintain nutrient and osmotic homeostasis. Here, we characterized the ion transport peptide (ITP) signaling system in Drosophila. The Drosophila ITP gene can generate three different peptide isoforms: ITP amidated (ITPa) and two ITP-like (ITPL1 and ITPL2) isoforms. We comprehensively characterized the expression of all three ITP […]