Summary
The prothoracic glands of a variety of insects were tested for their ability to synthesize ecdysteroids in vitro. More specifically, they were evaluated for their ability to produce 3-dehydroecdysone and ecdysone using both radioimmunoassay and reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography. Three categories of insect prothoracic glands were noted: a) those producing much more 3-dehydroecdysone than ecdysone; b) glands synthesizing almost equivalent amounts of each of these two ecdysteroids; c) prothoracic glands that yielded more ecdysone than 3-dehydroecdysone. In addition, the 3-oxoecdysteroid 3β-reductase activity of the hemolymph of these insects was evaluated for its ability to convert 3-dehydroecdysone to ecdysone. The lepidopteran species tested yielded the most potent enzyme activity, although activity was demonstrated in members of other orders. These data indicate that the dehydroecdysone-ecdysone axis is not restricted to moths and butterflies.
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Kiriishi, S., Rountree, D.B., Sakurai, S. et al. Prothoracic gland synthesis of 3-dehydroecdysone and its hemolymph 3β-reductase mediated conversion to ecdysone in representative insects. Experientia 46, 716–721 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01939944
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01939944