biostudies-literatureSchellens SResearch Foundation - FlandersAgency for Innovation by Science and TechnologyEuropean UnionKU LeuvenResearch Foundation of Flanders (FWO)European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation programKU Leuven internal fundsSpecial Research Fund of KU LeuvenFWO9232https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9408901biostudies-literatureUnknown23(16)Ecdysteroids are widely investigated for their role during the molting cascade in insects; however, they are also involved in the development of the female reproductive system. Ecdysteroids are synthesized from cholesterol, which is further converted via a series of enzymatic steps into the main molting hormone, 20-hydoxyecdysone. Most of these biosynthetic conversion steps involve the activity of cytochrome P450 (CYP) hydroxylases, which are encoded by the <i>Halloween</i> genes. Three of these genes, <i>spook</i> (<i>spo</i>), <i>phantom</i> (<i>phm</i>) and <i>shade</i> (<i>shd</i>), were previously characterized in the desert locust, <i>Schistocerca gregaria</i>. Based on recent sequencing data, we have now identified the sequences of <i>disembodied</i> (<i>dib</i>) and <i>shadow</i> (International journal of molecular sciencesKnockdown of the <i>Halloween</i> Genes <i>spook</i>, <i>shadow</i> and <i>shade</i> Influences Oocyte Development, Egg Shape, Oviposition and Hatching in the Desert Locust.PMC9408901GOA/11/02G0F2417NIWT1S42119NPDM 18/111634361C14/15/050G090919N121547C14/19/069Perez Baca MDRCools DPeeters PMarchal ELenaerts CVanden Broeck JSchellens SfalseKnockdown of the <i>Halloween</i> Genes <i>spook</i>, <i>shadow</i> and <i>shade</i> Influences Oocyte Development, Egg Shape, Oviposition and Hatching in the Desert Locust.Ecdysteroids are widely investigated for their role during the molting cascade in insects; however, they are also involved in the development of the female reproductive system. Ecdysteroids are synthesized from cholesterol, which is further converted via a series of enzymatic steps into the main molting hormone, 20-hydoxyecdysone. Most of these biosynthetic conversion steps involve the activity of cytochrome P450 (CYP) hydroxylases, which are encoded by the <i>Halloween</i> genes. Three of these genes, <i>spook</i> (<i>spo</i>), <i>phantom</i> (<i>phm</i>) and <i>shade</i> (<i>shd</i>), were previously characterized in the desert locust, <i>Schistocerca gregaria</i>. Based on recent sequencing data, we have now identified the sequences of <i>disembodied</i> (<i>dib</i>) and <i>shadow</i> (2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Aug2026-04-08T11:29:10.425Z2024-11-20T00:11:26.221ZS-EPMC94089013601249710.3390/ijms23169232