Methyl farnesoate stimulates ecdysteroid secretion from crab Y-organs in vitro.

Abstract

Methyl farnesoate (MF) stimulation of ecdysteroid secretion by Y-organs of the crab, Cancer magister, is demonstrated. Isolated Y-organs that were incubated with a mandibular organ (MO) secreted significantly higher levels of ecdysteroids into the medium when compared to those incubated in the absence of a MO. MOs secrete both farnesoic acid (FA) and MF into the medium and are not themselves a source of ecdysteroids. To determine if MF has a role in the regulation of ecdysteroid secretion, Y-organs from C. magister were incubated with various concentrations of MF. Y-organs in the presence of MF secreted significantly more ecdysteroids into the medium after a 24-hr incubation when compared to controls (P < or = 0.05). The magnitude of this stimulation increased with higher concentrations of MF and increasing incubation times. The response was specific to (2E,6E)-MF. The cis,trans isomer of MF ((2Z,6E)-MF), FA, and farnesyl diazomethyl ketone, a photoaffinity analog of MF, did not have any effect on ecdysteroid secretion from Y-organs. The primary ecdysteroid secreted by C. magister Y-organs comigrates with authentic ecdysone and its secretion is stimulated by MF.

• Authors: S L Tamone, E S Chang
• Journal: General and comparative endocrinology (Gen Comp Endocrinol) Vol. 89 Issue 3 Pg. 425-32 (Mar 1993) ISSN: 0016-6480 [Print] United States
• PMID: 8335230 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Affinity Labels
• Fatty Acids, Unsaturated
• Invertebrate Hormones
• methyl farnesoate
• Ecdysone

Topics

• Affinity Labels
• Animals
• Brachyura (metabolism)
• Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
• Ecdysone (metabolism)
• Endocrine Glands (drug effects, metabolism)
• Fatty Acids, Unsaturated (pharmacology)
• In Vitro Techniques
• Invertebrate Hormones (metabolism)
• Male
• Radioimmunoassay
• Stimulation, Chemical