The Insect Prothoracic Gland as a Model for Steroid Hormone Biosynthesis and Regulation.

ABSTRACT: Steroid hormones are ancient signaling molecules found in vertebrates and insects alike. Both taxa show intriguing parallels with respect to how steroids function and how their synthesis is regulated. As such, insects are excellent models for studying universal aspects of steroid physiology. Here, we present a comprehensive genomic and genetic analysis of the principal steroid hormone-producing organs in two popular insect models, Drosophila and Bombyx. We identified 173 genes with previously unknown specific expression in steroid-producing cells, 15 of which had critical roles in development. The insect neuropeptide PTTH and its vertebrate counterpart ACTH both regulate steroid production, but molecular targets of these pathways remain poorly characterized. Identification of PTTH-dependen

SUBMITTER: Ou Q 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5333552 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature