Immunocytochemical localization of gastrin-releasing peptide/bombesin-like immunoreactive neurons in insects.

GRP/bombesin-like immunoreactive material was immunocytochemically detected in neurons of seven insect species belonging to seven orders, while such neurons were not found in three insect species belonging to two other orders. In some insect species certain neurons were found in corresponding places and approximately the same numbers. It seems likely that such neurons have a common evolutionary origin and are homologous. The fact that the GRP-antiserum reveals such homologous neurons in species belonging to different orders, suggests that the part of the GRP/bombesin-like peptide recognized by the antiserum has been relatively stable during evolution. As the GRP-antiserum had to be used in much higher concentrations on insect tissue than for GRP endocrine cells in chicken proventriculus, the chemical resemblance of the insect peptide(s) to GRP and bombesin may be limited.