Abstract
Octopamine- and dopamine-sensitive adenylate cyclases were studied in the brain of Locusta migratoria during its metamorphosis. In the adult brain the effects of octopamine and dopamine on adenylate cyclase were additive, suggesting the presence of separate populations of adenylate cyclase-linked receptors for octopamine and dopamine. There are no separate receptors for noradrenaline. Octopamine stimulates adenylate cyclase in both adult and larval brain; however, in adult brain octopamine is more potent than in larval brain. Dopamine stimulates adenylate cyclase activity only in adult brain. The sensitivity of adenylate cyclase to octopamine changes during the development of the animal. Phentolamine and cyproheptadine are potent antagonists of octopamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase, while propranolol has a weak effect. No cytosol factor which would modulate either basal or octopamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase was found. The effect of GTP and octopamine on adenylate cyclase was synergistic in adult brain but not in larval brain, while the effect of GppNHp and octopamine was synergistic in both adult and larval brains.