Octopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclase in haemocytes of the forest tent caterpillar, Malacosoma disstria Hubner (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae)

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Abstract
Injection of octopamine into the haemocoel of third instar larvae and pupae of the forest tent caterpillar, Malacosoma disstria, results in a rapid elevation of haemolymph cyclic AMP levels. The elevated cyclic AMP levels are due, at least in part, to the action of octopamine on haemocytes, as evidenced by the octopamine-induced stimulation of adenylate cyclase in an established haemocyte cell line (Md 66). The effect is simulated by the adrenergic agonist, synephrine, and inhibited by the α-adrenergic blocking agent, phentolamine. The insect haemocyte receptor–enzyme system resembles equivalent vertebrate systems in being activated by sodium fluoride and requiring GTP for expression of effector-induced activation of the enzyme.