Methyl farnesoate synthesis in the lobster mandibular organ: the roles of HMG-CoA reductase and farnesoic acid O-methyltransferase.

ABSTRACT: Eyestalk ablation (ESA) increases crustacean production of methyl farnesoate (MF), a juvenile hormone-like compound, but the biochemical steps involved are not completely understood. We measured the activity of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMGR) and farnesoic acid O-methyl transferase (FAOMeT), an early step and the last step in MF synthesis. ESA elevated hemolymph levels of MF in male lobsters. Enzyme activity suggested that increased MF production on day one was due largely to elevated HMGR activity while changes in FAOMeT activity closely paralleled changes in MF levels on day 14. Transcript levels for HMGR and FAOMeT changed little on day one, but both increased substantially on day 14. We treated ESA males with a partially purified mandibular organ-inhibiting hormo

SUBMITTER: Li S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2787858 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature