Prothoracic gland synthesis of 3-dehydroecdysone and its hemolymph 3 beta-reductase mediated conversion to ecdysone in representative insects.
The prothoracic glands of a variety of insects were tested for their ability to synthesize ecdysteroids in vitro. More specifically, they were evaluated for their ability to produce 3-dehydroecdysone and ecdysone using both radioimmunoassay and reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography. Three categories of insect prothoracic glands were noted: a) those producing much more 3-dehydroecdysone than ecdysone; b) glands synthesizing almost equivalent amounts of each of these two ecdysteroids; c) prothoracic glands that yielded more ecdysone than 3-dehydroecdysone. In addition, the 3-oxoecdysteroid 3 beta-reductase activity of the hemolymph of these insects was evaluated for its ability to convert 3-dehydroecdysone to ecdysone. The lepidopteran species tested yielded the most potent enzyme activity, although activity was demonstrated in members of other orders. These data indicate that the dehydroecdysone-ecdysone axis is not restricted to moths and butterflies.
Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Kanazawa University, Japan.
S
S
Kiriishi
D B
DB
Rountree
S
S
Sakurai
L I
LI
Gilbert
D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D004440:Ecdysone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism; D006458:Hemolymph / Q000378:metabolism; D007313:Insecta / Q000378:metabolism*; D009490:Neurosecretory Systems / Q000378:metabolism*; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000378:metabolism*; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases / Q000494:pharmacology; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D013045:Species Specificity
D004440:Ecdysone; C047104:3-dehydroecdysone; D010088:Oxidoreductases; D015096:3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases; C020096:ecdysone oxidase; D010447:Peptide Hydrolases