Regulation of insect steroid hormone biosynthesis by innervating peptidergic neurons.

ABSTRACT: In insects, steroid hormones named ecdysteroids elicit molting and metamorphosis. The prothoracic gland (PG) is a predominant source of ecdysteroids, where their biosynthesis (ecdysteroidogenesis) is regulated by several neuropeptides. Here, we report that FMRFamide-related peptides (FaRPs) regulate ecdysteroidogenesis through direct innervation of the PG in the silkworm Bombyx mori. We purified a previously uncharacterized Bombyx FaRP, DPSFIRFamide, and identified the corresponding Bombyx FMRFamide gene (Bommo-FMRFamide, BRFa), which encodes three additional FaRPs. All BRFa peptides suppressed ecdysteroidogenesis in the PG by reducing cAMP production by means of the receptor for Bommo-myosuppressin, another FaRP we have previously shown to act as a prothoracicostatic factor. BRFa is predo

SUBMITTER: Yamanaka N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1482630 | biostudies-literature | 2006 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature