Physiological requirements for 20-hydroxyecdysone-induced rectal sac distention in the pupa of the silkworm, Bombyx mori.
Successful insect development is achieved via appropriate fluctuation of ecdysteroid levels. When an insect's ecdysteroid level is disrupted, physiological and developmental defects occur. In the pupa of the silkworm, Bombyx mori, the rectal sac is an essential organ that operates as a repository for degraded ecdysteroids, and it can be distended by administration of 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E). Our previous study showed that rectal sac distention appears 4 days after 20E administration. Hemolymph ecdysteroid levels, however, decrease to lower level during this period. Thus, the timing of the rectal sac distention does not match with that of ecdysteroid elevation. Here, we examine how 20E induces rectal sac distention. A ligature experiment and ecdysteroid quantification showed that continuous 20E stimulation induces rectal sac distention. Thorax tissue contributed to the continuous 20E stimulation needed to induce distention. Ecdysteroid released from the thorax tissue may be converted to 20E by ecdysone 20-hydroxylase to produce continuous 20E stimulation. Thus, the ecdysone metabolic pathway plays a critical role in rectal sac distention.
Suzuki
Takumi
T
Division of Life Sciences, Graduate School of Natural Science and Technology, Kanazawa University, Kakuma-machi, Kanazawa 920-1192, Japan.
Sakurai
Sho
S
Iwami
Masafumi
M
D000818:Animals; D012831:Bombyx / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D004440:Ecdysone / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology; D004441:Ecdysterone / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000502:physiology; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000502:physiology; D017344:Genes, Insect / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D008675:Metamorphosis, Biological / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D011679:Pupa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D011987:Receptors, Steroid / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D011987:Receptors, Steroid; C055469:ecdysone receptor; D004440:Ecdysone; D004441:Ecdysterone