Intercellular communication in insect development is hormonally controlled.
Cellular coupling in the insect epidermis changes in a characteristic way during metamorphosis. In vitro, beta-ecdysone mimics the initial phase of these changes by increasing electrical coupling. Both adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cyclic AMP) and Ca2+ reverse natural and beta-ecdysone-stimulated changes, which suggests that ecdysone could work on communication through changes in cyclic AMP and Ca2+ levels. The transient changes in intercellular communication before metamorphosis may reflect the timing of the signals that trigger proliferation and the generation of new spatial patterns in the epidermis.
D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000494:pharmacology; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000187:drug effects; D046508:Culture Techniques; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000494:pharmacology; D004441:Ecdysterone / Q000494:pharmacology; D004553:Electric Conductivity; D000078404:Epidermal Cells; D007365:Intercellular Junctions / Q000502:physiology; D008675:Metamorphosis, Biological; D013712:Tenebrio / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development*
D004441:Ecdysterone; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D002118:Calcium