Octopamine receptors from the barnacle Balanus improvisus are activated by the a2-adrenoceptor agonist medetomidine
G protein-coupled octopamine receptors of insects and other invertebrates represent counterparts of adrenoceptors in vertebrate animals. The α2-adrenoceptor agonist medetomidine, which is in clinical use as a veterinary sedative agent, was discovered to inhibit the settling process of barnacles, an important step in the ontogeny of this crustacean species.
Settling of barnacles onto ship hulls leads to biofouling that has many harmful practical consequences, and medetomidine is currently underdevelopment as a novel type of antifouling agent. We now report that medetomidine induces hyperactivity in the barnacle larvae to disrupt the settling process.
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