The singing behavior of male crickets allows analyzing a central pattern generator (CPG) that was shaped by sexual selection for reliable production of species-specific communication signals. After localizing the essential ganglia for singing in Gryllus bimaculatus, we now studied the calling song CPG at the cellular level. Fictive singing was initiated by pharmacological brain stimulation. The...

Electrophysiological recordings were conducted to determine the control of spermathecal contractions during oviposition of interrupted egg-laying locusts, Locusta migratoria. Following transection of the central nervous system below the metathoracic ganglion, rhythmic patterned bursting was detected by extracellular recordings of the nerve N2B2 that innervates the muscles of the spermatheca. Su...

ATP-dependent K(+) channels (K(ATP) channels) are composed of pore-forming subunits Kir6.x and sulfonylurea receptors (SURs). Cyanoguanidines such as pinacidil and P1075 bind to SUR and enhance MgATP binding to and hydrolysis by SUR, thereby opening K(ATP) channels. In the vasculature, openers of K(ATP) channels produce vasorelaxation. Some novel cyanoguanidines, however, selectively reverse op...

K(+) channel openers have been recently recognized for their ability to protect mitochondria from anoxic injury. Yet the mechanism responsible for mitochondrial preservation under oxidative stress is not fully understood. Here, mitochondria were isolated from rat hearts and subjected to 20-min anoxia, followed by reoxygenation. At reoxygenation, increased generation of reactive oxygen species (...

Long-term facilitation at the crayfish opener muscle is elicited by prolonged high frequency stimulation, and arises from an increase in functional active zones, resulting in increased transmitter release. LTF induction depends critically upon presynaptic calcium accumulation and calcineurin (PP2B) activity. The protein synthesis dependence of this synaptic strengthening was investigated. LTF o...

Here we present some of the key important discoveries made with the opener neuromuscular (NMJ) preparation of crustaceans and illustrate that there is still much to learn from this model preparation. In understanding the history one can appreciate why even today this NMJ still offers a rich playground to address questions regarding pre- and post-synaptic function and plasticity. The viability a...