The effects of dopamine receptor agonists and antagonists on the secretory rate of cockroach (Periplaneta americana) salivary glands.

The acinar salivary glands of the cockroach, Periplaneta americana, are innervated by dopaminergic and serotonergic nerve fibers. Serotonin stimulates the secretion of protein-rich saliva, whereas dopamine causes the production of protein-free saliva. This suggests that dopamine acts selectively on ion-transporting peripheral cells within the acini and the duct cells, and that serotonin acts on the protein-producing central cells of the acini. We have investigated the pharmacology of the dopamine-induced secretory activity of the salivary gland of Periplaneta americana by testing several dopamine receptor agonists and antagonists. The effects of dopamine can be mimicked by the non-selective dopamine receptor agonist 6,7-ADTN and, less effectively, by the vertebrate D1 receptor-selective agonist chloro-APB. The vertebrate D1 receptor-selective agonist SKF 38393 and vertebrate D2 receptor-selective agonist R(-)-TNPA were ineffective. R(+)-Lisuride induces a secretory response with a slower onset and a lower maximal response compared with dopamine-induced secretion. However, lisuride-stimulated glands continue secreting saliva, even after lisuride-washout. Dopamine-induced secretions can be blocked by the vertebrate dopamine receptor antagonists cis(Z)-flupenthixol, chlorpromazine, and S(+)-butaclamol. Our pharmacological data do not unequivocally indicate whether the dopamine receptors on the Periplaneta salivary glands belong to the D1 or D2 subfamily of dopamine receptors, but we can confirm that the pharmacology of invertebrate dopamine receptors is remarkably different from that of their vertebrate counterparts.