A transgenerational endocrine signaling pathway in Crustacea.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Environmental signals to maternal organisms can result in developmental alterations in progeny. One such example is environmental sex determination in Branchiopod crustaceans. We previously demonstrated that the hormone methyl farnesoate could orchestrate environmental sex determination in the early embryo to the male phenotype. Presently, we identify a transcription factor that is activated by methyl farnesoate and explore the extent and significance of this transgenerational signaling pathway.

Methodology/principal findings

Several candidate transcription factors were cloned from the water flea Daphnia pulex and evaluated for activation by methyl farnesoate. One of the factors evaluated, the complex of two bHLH-PAS proteins, dappuMet and SRC, activated a reporte

SUBMITTER: LeBlanc GA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3629115 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature