Ecdysone

From WikiMD.org
Jump to navigation Jump to search

Ecdysone

Ecdysone (pronounced: ek-dih-sone) is a steroidal prohormone that is produced by the prothoracic glands in insects. It plays a crucial role in the process of metamorphosis and is responsible for the initiation of moulting in arthropods.

Etymology

The term 'ecdysone' is derived from the Greek word 'ekdysis', which means 'to strip off'. This is in reference to the shedding or moulting process that insects undergo.

Function

Ecdysone is secreted by the prothoracic glands and is converted into its active form, 20-hydroxyecdysone, in the tissues. This active form then binds to the ecdysone receptor, a nuclear receptor, triggering a cascade of events that lead to the moulting process.

Ecdysone is also involved in the regulation of reproduction in insects, particularly in the development and maturation of the ovaries and testes.

Related Terms

  • 20-hydroxyecdysone: The active form of ecdysone that triggers the moulting process in insects.
  • Metamorphosis: The process by which insects transform from one developmental stage to another, often involving significant changes in physical structure and physiological processes.
  • Prothoracic glands: The glands in insects that produce ecdysone.
  • Nuclear receptor: A type of protein that binds to specific sequences of DNA and regulates the transcription of genes.

See Also

External links

Esculaap.svg

This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.


Languages: - East Asian 中文, 日本, 한국어, South Asian हिन्दी, Urdu, বাংলা, తెలుగు, தமிழ், ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian Indonesian, Vietnamese, Thai, မြန်မာဘာသာ, European español, Deutsch, français, русский, português do Brasil, Italian, polski