Effects of domoic and kainic acids on the neuromuscular junction of mealworm, Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae)

The study reported here was undertaken to examine the actions of kainic acid and domoic acid on EPSP using nerve-muscle junction preparations of mealworm larvae, Tenebrio molitor . Kainic acid is a pyrrolidine derivative containing the structure of L-glutamic acid. It has been isolated from the seaweed, Dagenia simplex , and used as an acaricide. Domoic acid is an analogue of kainic acid. This compound has been found in another seaweed, Chondria armata . The entire kainic acid molecule is included in the domoic acid molecule.