Methyl Farnesoate Biosynthesis Research Articles

Identification and Evolution Analysis of the Complete Methyl Farnesoate Biosynthesis and Related Pathway Genes in the Mud Crab, Scylla paramamosain.

The sesquiterpenoid hormone methyl farnesoate (MF) plays a vital role during crustacean development, which is mainly evidenced by its varied titers during different developmental stages. However, the biosynthesis pathways of MF remain obscure to some extent. In this study, we identified the complete MF biosynthesis and related pathway genes in Scylla paramamosain, including three involved in acetyl-CoA metabolism, eight in the mevalonate pathway, five in the sesquiterpenoids synthesis pathway, and five in the methionine cycle pathway. Bioinformatics, genomic structure, and phylogenetic analysis indicated that the JH biosynthesis genes might have experienced evolution after species differentiation. The mRNA tissue distribution analysis revealed that almost all genes involving in or relating to MF syntheses were highly expressed in the mandibular organ (MO), among which juvenile hormone acid methyltransferase was exclusively expressed in the MO, suggesting that most of these genes might mainly function in MF biosynthesis and that the methionine cycle pathway genes might play a crucial regulatory role during MF synthesis. In addition, the phylogenetic and tissue distribution analysis of the cytochrome P450 CYP15-like gene suggested that the epoxidized JHs might exist in crustaceans, but are mainly synthesized in hepatopancreas rather than the MO. Finally, we also found that betaine-homocysteine S-methyltransferase genes were lost in insects while methionine synthase was probably lost in most insects except Folsomia candida, indicating a regulatory discrepancy in the methionine cycle between crustaceans and insects. This study might increase our understanding of synthetic metabolism tailored for sesquiterpenoid hormones in S. paramamosain and other closely related species.

A Possible Role of Allatostatin C in Inhibiting Ecdysone Biosynthesis Revealed in the Mud Crab Scylla paramamosain

C-type allatostatins (C-type ASTs) are a family of structurally related neuropeptides found in a wide range of insects and crustaceans. To date, the C-type allatostatin receptor in crustaceans has not been deorphaned, and little is known about its physiological functions. In this study, we aimed to functionally define a C-type ASTs receptor in the mud crab, Scylla paramamosian. We showed that C-type ASTs receptor can be activated by ScypaAST-C peptide in a dose-independent manner and by ScypaAST-CCC peptide in a dose-dependent manner with an IC50 value of 6.683 nM. Subsequently, in vivo and in vitro experiments were performed to investigate the potential roles of ScypaAST-C and ScypaAST-CCC peptides in the regulation of ecdysone (20E) and methyl farnesoate (MF) biosynthesis. The results indicated that ScypaAST-C inhibited biosynthesis of 20E in the Y-organ, whereas ScypaAST-CCC had no effect on the production of 20E. In addition, qRT-PCR showed that both ScypaAST-C and ScypaAST-CCC significantly decreased the level of expression of the MF biosynthetic enzyme gene in the mandibular organ, suggesting that the two neuropeptides have a negative effect on the MF biosynthesis in mandibular organs. In conclusion, this study provided new insight into the physiological roles of AST-C in inhibiting ecdysone biosynthesis. Furthermore, it was revealed that AST-C family peptides might inhibit MF biosynthesis in crustaceans.

Transgenerational effects of methyl farnesoate on Daphnia pulex clones: Male and ephippia production and expression of genes involved in sex determination

Abstract Environmental sex determination implies that sex is defined by environmental factors influencing the maternal organism and/or oocytes. It provides population sex ratios that will maximise the sustainability of the population under incipient environmental conditions. Environmental factors responsible for sex determination include temperature, photoperiod, food availability, and population density. These cues stimulate the release of chemical signalling molecules (i.e. hormones) that determine the sex of newborns. We have analysed the responses of three Daphnia pulex clones (I, K, and S), isolated from different natural populations, to juvenile hormone methyl farnesoate (MF) in terms of survivorship, fecundity, production of males and ephippia, and expression of genes involved in sex determination (dsx1) and hormonal regulation (JHAMT, Met, RXR). Clonal individuals were exposed to: (1) high MF concentration (0.8 µM) combined with stressful conditions; (2) low MF concentration (0.15 µM) combined with optimal conditions of population density and food availability in two subsequent generations. The genetically different clones of D. pulex differed in the propensity for male and ephippia production and in the sensitivity to the stimuli that lead to the switch from parthenogenetic to sexual reproduction. A significant induction of male production was observed in all three clones when exposed to MF. In conditions mimicking crowding, only clone S produced male offspring even in absence of MF and showed higher expression levels of JHAMT and dsx1 genes. This response suggests that clone S has a high propensity to produce males probably due to a high sensitivity of receptors to environmental stimuli activating the endogenous biosynthesis of MF. However, clone S exposed to high MF concentration produced fewer males than clones I and K, which generally have a low natural propensity to produce males. High MF concentration coupled with conditions mimicking crowding, probably activated a feedback mechanism in clone S via the differential modulation of genes involved in the synthesis as well in the degradation of MF. Exposure to low MF concentration for two subsequent generations resulted in a reduction of male progeny production from the first (G1) to the second (G2) generation. All analysed genes were up‐regulated in both generations treated with MF, but with lower expression in G2. The reduced up‐regulation of the dsx1 gene matched with the lower male production. Based on our results and literature data, we hypothesised that the maternal dsx1 mRNA probably plays some role early in oocyte development, and causes the eggs that receive the dsx1 signal to develop into males. Exposure to MF for two generations significantly increased ephippia production. These results suggest that the induction of male and ephippia might have a common root in the MF pathway. The effect of MF on life‐history traits (delay in the age at maturity and fecundity reduction), sex ratio, and ephippia production suggests a direct impact of the juvenile hormone on the level of population growth. Thus, as a consequence of the switch from parthenogenetic to sexual reproduction, MF influences Daphnia population metrics and in this way probably maximises the sustainability of the population under variable environmental conditions.

Cloning and expression analysis of a cytoplasmic juvenile hormone-binding protein from the mud crab, Scylla paramamosain (Decapoda, Brachyura, Portunidae)

Abstract Juvenile hormone (JH) has an important role in regulating the development of arthropods, and methyl farnesoate (MF) is the only juvenile hormone found in Crustacea to date. Juvenile hormone-binding proteins (JHBPs) bind to JHs and transport or deliver JH signals. In this study, the complete cDNA sequence of cytoplasmic JHBP (cJHBP) was obtained from Scylla paramamosain, which we named Sp-cJHBP. The putative protein sequence of Sp-cJHBP contains two conserved glyoxalase domains. Expression analysis revealed that Sp-cJHBP expression varied greatly among larval developmental stages, with a significant reduction at the Zoea-5 stage. Sp-cJHBP had the highest expression in the ovary, with low expression in other tissues of the female adult crabs. During ovarian development, the expression of Sp-cJHBP changed significantly in the ovary, though its trends correlated poorly with the ovarian developmental process. While the expression in the mandibular organ (MO) was similar to 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGR), which is a key gene involved in MF biosynthesis. After unilateral eyestalk ablation (ESA), the expression of Sp-cJHBP altered significantly in the ovary and MO, but not in cerebral ganglion and thoracic ganglion. Altogether, these results suggest that Sp-cJHBP is likely to function primarily in the ovary, probably through binding to MF.

Juvenile hormone affects the splicing of Culex quinquefasciatus early trypsin messenger RNA.

The full length of Culex quiquefasciatus early trypsin has been cloned and sequenced and a three-dimensional (3D) model of the enzyme was built showing that the enzyme has the canonical trypsin's active pocket containing H78, D123, S129, and D128. The biosynthesis of juvenile hormone (JH) III by the corpora allata (CA) in female Cx. quiquefasciatus is sugar-dependent. Females that were maintained on water after emergence synthesize very little JH III, JH III bisepoxide, and methyl farnesoate (MF) (3.8, 1.1, and 0.8 fmol/4 hr/CA, respectively). One hour after sugar feeding, the synthesis of JH III and JH III bisepoxide reached a maximum (11.3 and 5.9 fmol/4 hr/CA, respectively) whereas MF biosynthesis reached a maximum at 24 hr (5.2 fmol/4 hr/CA). The early trypsin is transcribed with a short intron (51 nt) is spliced when JH III biosynthesis is high in sugar fed and at 1 hr after the blood meal (22 and 15 fmol/4 hr/CA, respectively). We investigated the transcriptional and posttranscriptional regulation of the early trypsin gene showing that JH III concentrations influence splicing. In the absence JH III the unspliced transcript is linked by a phosphoamide bond at the 5'-end to RNA ribonuleoprotein (RNP). The biosynthesis of the early trypsin was followed in ligated abdomens (without CA) of newly emerged females that fed blood by enema. Our results show that the early trypsin biosynthesis depends on sugar and blood feeding, whereas the late trypsin biosynthesis does not depend on sugar feeding, or JH III biosynthesis. Downregulating the early trypsin transcript does not affect the late trypsin.

The potential role of juvenile hormone acid methyltransferase in methyl farnesoate (MF) biosynthesis in the swimming crab, Portunus trituberculatus

Juvenile hormone (JH) and methyl farnesoate (MF) play essential roles in the development and reproduction of insects and crustaceans respectively. Juvenile hormone acid methyltransferase (JHAMT) catalyzes the methyl esterification in insect JH biosynthesis, while the corresponding step in crustacean MF biosynthesis was long thought to be catalyzed by farnesoic acid O-methyltransferase (FAMeT). However, the new discovery of JHAMT orthologs in crustaceans indicates that JHAMT may also play essential role in the MF biosynthesis in crustaceans. Here we cloned and characterized the full-length cDNA encoding JHAMT in the swimming crab Portunus trituberculatus (PtJHAMT). Sequence and structure analysis of PtJHAMT revealed that it was composed of a 6-stranded β sheet with 9 α helices, and contained a signature Sadenosyl-l-methionine (SAM) binding motif, which is the hallmark in all SAM dependent methyltransferases (SAM-MTs). Several active sites that are critical for the interaction of SAM and JH/FA substrate were also conserved in PtJHAMT. The gene expression of PtJHAMT was highly specific to the mandibular organ, which is the sole site of MF synthesis. PtJHAMT expression significantly increased in the late-vitellogenic stage and mature stage, which suggests a possible role of PtJHAMT in modulating ovarian development. The role of PtJHAMT and PtFAMeT in MF biosynthesis was further investigated by RNA interfering (RNAi). Injection of PtJHAMT and PtFAMeT dsRNA both led to a decrease in hemolymph MF titers. Injection of PtHMGR dsRNA caused the decrease in PtJHAMT expression, but had no effect on mRNA level of PtFAMeT. Together these results suggested that JHAMT and FAMeT are both involved in the MF biosynthesis in crustaceans, while the JHAMT is highly specific to FA substrate, and FAMeT may have more catalytic functions.

Hemolymph Levels of Methyl Farnesoate During Ovarian Development of the Swimming Crab Portunus trituberculatus, and Its Relation to Transcript Levels of HMG-CoA Reductase and Farnesoic Acid O-Methyltransferase.

Methyl farnesoate (MF) is a sesquiterpene compound and the crustacean homolog of insect juvenile hormones. MF has multiple physiological functions involving the regulation of molting, reproduction, metamorphogenesis, behavior, and osmoregulation. In this study, the hemolymph levels of MF during ovarian development of Portunus trituberculatus were measured by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The results showed that the hemolymph level of MF in P. trituberculatus was low during stages I and II, increased considerably in stage III, and remained high in stage IV. Correlation of MF level with ovarian maturation indicates the putative stimulatory role of MF in this physiological process. As 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMGR) and farnesoic acid O-methyltransferase (FAMeT) are two essential enzymes in MF biosynthesis, their transcript levels during ovarian development were detected by quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). Transcript levels of HMGR and FAMeT exhibited variation trends similar to that of the level of MF in hemolymph. This might indicate that high expression of HMGR and FAMeT could result in an increase in the production of MF, which ultimately affects ovarian development.

Methyl farnesoate plays a dual role in regulating Drosophila metamorphosis.

Corpus allatum (CA) ablation results in juvenile hormone (JH) deficiency and pupal lethality in Drosophila. The fly CA produces and releases three sesquiterpenoid hormones: JH III bisepoxide (JHB3), JH III, and methyl farnesoate (MF). In the whole body extracts, MF is the most abundant sesquiterpenoid, followed by JHB3 and JH III. Knockout of JH acid methyl transferase (jhamt) did not result in lethality; it decreased biosynthesis of JHB3, but MF biosynthesis was not affected. RNAi-mediated reduction of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase (hmgcr) expression in the CA decreased biosynthesis and titers of the three sesquiterpenoids, resulting in partial lethality. Reducing hmgcr expression in the CA of the jhamt mutant further decreased MF titer to a very low level, and caused complete lethality. JH III, JHB3, and MF function through Met and Gce, the two JH receptors, and induce expression of Kr-h1, a JH primary-response gene. As well, a portion of MF is converted to JHB3 in the hemolymph or peripheral tissues. Topical application of JHB3, JH III, or MF precluded lethality in JH-deficient animals, but not in the Met gce double mutant. Taken together, these experiments show that MF is produced by the larval CA and released into the hemolymph, from where it exerts its anti-metamorphic effects indirectly after conversion to JHB3, as well as acting as a hormone itself through the two JH receptors, Met and Gce.

Defining the contribution of select neuropeptides and their receptors in regulating sesquiterpenoid biosynthesis by Drosophilamelanogaster ring gland/corpus allatum through RNAi analysis

The larval ring gland and adult corpus allatum (CA) of Drosophilamelanogaster produce at least three sesquiterpenoid products: methyl farnesoate (MF), juvenile hormone III (JHIII), and JHIII bisepoxide (JHB3). Our understanding of neuropeptide regulation of sesquiterpenoid biosynthesis in D. melanogaster has been hampered by uncertainty over the biosynthetic pathway and the sites of action of regulators. As an approach to defining the neuropeptide regulators, we have used invivo gene-specific silencing (RNAi). D. melanogaster strains containing an inducible UAS-RNAi construct made to either PheGlyLeu-NH2–allatostatin (FGLa/AST) and its cognate receptors Dar-1 and Dar-2 or PISCF–allatostatin (PISCF/AST) or its cognate receptors Drostar-1 or Drostar-2 were expressed invivo. MF, JHIII and JHB3 production was measured in ring glands of 3rd instars or corpora allata (CA) of adult females using the radiochemical assay. Reduction in FGLa/AST and Dar-1 or Dar-2 mRNA levels had no effect on MF, JHIII, or JHB3 production in larvae or adults. Inhibition of Drostar-1 expression resulted in a significant decrease in MF and JHB3 production in 3rd instars with little effect on JHIII biosynthesis. In contrast, inhibition of Drostar-1 in adult females led to a significant increase in MF and JHIII production. Inhibition of Drostar-2 also reduced MF biosynthesis in 3rd instars. In adults, inhibition of Drostar-2 led to a significant increase in MF and JHIII production but showed no effect on JHB3. PISCF/AST had no effect on sesquiterpenoid biosynthesis when incubated with 3rd instar ring glands but was stimulatory when incubated with adult glands. Inhibition of short neuropeptide F (sNPF) expression by RNAi or application of sNPF to ring glands had no effect on MF, JHIII, or JHB3 biosynthesis in larvae or adults. Reduction in the neuropeptide Y receptor (NepYr) or neuropeptide F receptor (NPF-R) inhibited JHIII and JHB3 production in 3rd instars but only reduction in NepYr resulted in JHB3 reduction in adults.

DrosophilaCG10527 mutants are resistant to juvenile hormone and its analog methoprene

Juvenile hormone (JH) is critical for development, metamorphosis, and reproduction in insects. While the physiological importance of JH has been appreciated for decades, its biosynthetic pathway and molecular action remain poorly understood. DrosophilaCG10527 encodes a protein with high homology to crustacean farnesoic acid methyltransferase (FAMeT) that converts farnesoic acid to methyl farnesoate (MF), a precursor of JH, but its in vivo functions remain unclear. Here we report that CG10527 is expressed widely in secondary cells in the male accessory glands, in ovarian follicle cells, and in glial cells in the nervous system. Furthermore, CG10527 is expressed abundantly in the corpora allata where JH is synthesized. To understand the physiological functions of CG10527, we generated specific CG10527 deletions. Phenotypic analysis showed that CG10527 null mutants are fully viable and fertile in both sexes, indicating that CG10527 is not essential for survival and fertility. Surprisingly, CG10527 mutants showed no defects in the biosynthesis of MF and JH. However, CG10527 mutants were 3–5 times more resistant than wild-type flies to topically applied MF and JH as well as the JH analog methoprene at both sub-lethal and lethal doses. Taken together, our data indicate that DrosophilaCG10527 plays little, if any, role in JH biosynthesis but may participate in the JH signaling pathway.

Molecular cloning and characterization of retinoid X receptor and ecdysone receptor from the lobster, Homarus americanus

Event Abstract Back to Event Molecular cloning and characterization of retinoid X receptor and ecdysone receptor from the lobster, Homarus americanus Shirley Tiu1* and Stephen S. Tobe1 1 University of Toronto, Department of Cell and Systems Biology, Canada Two cDNAs encoding retinoid X receptor (HaRXR) and ecdysone receptor (HaEcR) were cloned and sequenced from the lobster Homarus americanus by PCR cloning techniques. The amino acid sequences of both HaRXR and HaEcR are highly homologous with those of other crustacean and insect, and also showed moderate homology to those of vertebrates. Both HaRXR and HaEcR show highest gene expression in mandibular organ (MO) in both adult male and female lobster, and showed a different expression pattern in different regions of MO. Farnesoic acid (FA) and methyl farnesoate (MF) biosynthesis rate are different in different regions of MO, which is coincided to the gene expression profile of HaRXR in MO. Different regions of MO were treated by 20-hydroxyecdysone (20-HE) and semi-qualitative PCR was performed to study the effect of 20-HE on HaRXR and HaEcR gene expression. Opposite to the stimulatory effect of 20-HE on HaRXR and HaEcR in hepatopancreas and ovary, 20-HE has an inhibitory effect on HaRXR and HaEcR in MO. Furthermore, 20-HE also inhibits FA and MF biosynthesis in MO. Hence, 20-HE may play an important role in MF metabolism, and regulating expression of different genes by binding of RXR/EcR in crustacean. Keywords: comparative endocrinology Conference: 25th Conference of the European Comparative Endocrinologists, Pécs, Hungary, 31 Aug - 4 Sep, 2010. Presentation Type: Conference Presentation Topic: Comparative endocrinology Citation: Tiu S and Tobe SS (2010). Molecular cloning and characterization of retinoid X receptor and ecdysone receptor from the lobster, Homarus americanus. Front. Endocrinol. Conference Abstract: 25th Conference of the European Comparative Endocrinologists. doi: 10.3389/conf.fendo.2010.01.00035 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 26 Aug 2010; Published Online: 29 Aug 2010. * Correspondence: Dr. Shirley Tiu, University of Toronto, Department of Cell and Systems Biology, Toronto, Canada, shirley.tiu@utoronto.ca Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Shirley Tiu Stephen S Tobe Google Shirley Tiu Stephen S Tobe Google Scholar Shirley Tiu Stephen S Tobe PubMed Shirley Tiu Stephen S Tobe Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.

Juvenile hormone and methyl farnesoate production in cockroach embryos in relation to dorsal closure and the reproductive modes of different species of cockroaches

Juvenile hormone (JH), produced by the corpora allata (CA), is first detectable after dorsal closure, a conspicuous event in embryogenesis. The present research found that the timing of dorsal closure was consistently at about 45% of the total embryonic development time across most of the oviparous and ovoviviparous cockroach species examined. These included the ovoviviparous cockroaches Blaberus discoidalis, Byrsotria fumigata, Rhyparobia maderae, Nauphoeta cinerea, Phoetalia pallida, Schultesia lampyridiformis, and Panchlora nivea, as well as the oviparous cockroaches Blatta orientalis, Periplaneta americana, Eurycotis floridana, and Supella longipalpa. However, the only known viviparous cockroach Diploptera punctata completed dorsal closure at 20.8% of embryo development time. Methyl farnesoate (MF), the immediate precursor of JH III, is considered a functional molecule in crustaceans; however, in insects its function is still unclear. To understand the role of JH and MF in cockroach embryos, I compared JH and MF biosynthesis and release in several cockroach species of known phylogenetic relationships. Using a radiochemical assay, the present research showed that cockroach embryos representing all three reproductive modes produced and released both JH and MF, as previously shown for B. germanica, N. cinerea, and D. punctata. Members of a pair of embryonic CA from B. discoidalis, B. fumigata, R. maderae, and D. punctata were incubated with and without farnesol. MF accumulated in large amounts only in CA of R. maderae in the presence of farnesol, which indicates that control of the last step of biosynthesis of JH, conversion of MF into JH by MF epoxidase, is probably a rate-limiting step in this species.

1,5-Disubstituted imidazoles inhibit juvenile hormone biosynthesis by the corpora allata of the mosquito Aedesaegypti

We investigated the effect of fifteen 1,5-disubstituted imidazoles (1,5-dis) on juvenile hormone III (JH III) and methyl farnesoate (MF) biosynthesis by the corpora allata (CA) of the mosquito Aedes aegypti in vitro. Four compounds (TH-35, TH-83, TH-62 and TH-28) significantly decreased JH biosynthesis in the CA dissected from 3-day old sugar-fed females. The decrease of JH synthesis was not always associated with increased MF. TH-30 and TH-83 increased MF levels, while TH-85 and TH-61 significantly decreased MF levels. Five compounds (TH-26, TH-60, TH-83, TH-35 and TH-30) significantly inhibited JH biosynthesis in the CA dissected from females 15 h after a blood meal. Four 1,5-dis (TH-30, TH-26, TH-28 and TH-66) caused MF increases in CA from blood-fed females. 1,5-Disubstituted imidazoles had higher inhibitory activity on JH synthesis when substituted at position 5 by a 3-benzyloxyphenyl group and at position 1 by a benzyl group (such as TH-35). Inhibition of JH and MF biosynthesis by TH-35 was age-dependent and influenced by nutritional status; inhibition differed when evaluated in the CA dissected from sugar-fed females at different days after emergence and in the CA dissected from females at different hours after a blood meal. Inhibition was always higher when the CA was more active. The addition of TH-35 significantly reduced the stimulatory effect of Aedes-allatotropin and farnesoic acid on JH synthesis. This is the first report of an inhibitory effect of 1,5-disubstituted imidazoles on JH synthesis in Diptera.

Methyl farnesoate and juvenile hormone production in embryos of Diploptera punctata in relation to innervation of corpora allata and their sensitivity to allatostatin

Corpora allata (CA) of embryos of Diploptera punctata have been previously shown to produce JH III. We have re-examined sesquiterpenoid biosynthesis throughout embryonic development and have found that early embryos produce both methyl farnesoate (MF) and JH III; as development proceeds, less MF and more JH is produced. The cockroach allatostatin peptide Dippu-allatostatin (AST) 7 inhibits sesquiterpenoid production by CA of mid to late embryos whereas it exerts a dose-dependent stimulatory effect in early embryos. This stimulatory effect is particularly apparent on MF biosynthesis. CA become innervated by allatostatin-containing nerves in early embryos (35% development). Shortly thereafter, the allatostatin-containing innervation of the CA appears complete.

Neuropeptide regulation of biosynthesis of the juvenoid, methyl farnesoate, in the edible crab, Cancer pagurus.

The neuropeptide mandibular organ (MO)-inhibiting hormone (MO-IH), synthesized and secreted from the X-organ-sinus-gland complex of the eyestalk, regulates the biosynthesis of the putative crustacean juvenile hormone, methyl farnesoate (MF). Using radiolabelled acetate as a precursor for isoprenoid biosynthesis, farnesoic acid (FA), farnesol, farnesal, MF and geranyl geraniol were detected in MOs cultured for 24 h. Treatment of MOs with extract of sinus gland inhibited the final step of biosynthesis of MF, catalysed by FA O-methyltransferase. Additionally, treatment of MOs with purified MO-IH exhibited a dose-dependent inhibition of this final step of MF synthesis. The extent of this inhibition was dependent on the ovary stage of the MO-donor animal, being maximal in MOs from animals in the early stages of ovarian development. Assay of FA O-methyltransferase activity, using [3H]FA in the presence of S-adenosyl-l-methionine, demonstrated that the enzyme was located in the cytosolic fraction of MOs and was inhibited by incubation of MOs with MO-IH prior to preparation of subcellular fractions. For cytosolic preparations taken from vitellogenic animals, both Vmax and Km were appreciably lower than for those taken from non-vitellogenic animals. Conversely, eyestalk ablation of early-vitellogenic animals, which removes the source of MO-IH in vivo, resulted in enhancement of the cytosolic FA O-methyltransferase activity. Although both Vmax and Km show an appreciable increase upon eyestalk ablation, the increased enzyme activity is probably reflected by the fact that Vmax/Km (an approximate indication of kcat) has increased 5-fold. The combined evidence demonstrates that MO-IH inhibits FA O-methyltransferase, the enzyme which catalyses the final step of MF biosynthesis in MOs.

Production and utilization of farnesoic acid in the juvenile hormone biosynthetic pathway by corpora allata of larval Diploptera punctata

The regulation of juvenile hormone III (JH III) biosynthesis and release by the corpora allata (CA) was studied in penultimate and final instar male and female larvae of Diploptera punctata using an in vitro radiochemical assay. Final instar female CA produced JH III (2 to 6 pmol · hr −1 per pair) only during the first 8 days of the 20-day stadium, but produced and released farnesoic acid (FA), a JH III precursor, (0.5 to 2.0 pmol · hr −1 per pair), during the entire stadium. FA was identified by cochromatography on TLC of both the product from CA incubations with [ 3H]FA standard as well as by esterification of biosynthesized FA to methyl farnesoate (MF). Biosynthesis of MF and JH III acid occurred at <0.25 and <2 pmol · hr −1 per pair, respectively. Because regression analysis of the time course of JH III release over 6 hr showed a constant rate of release after a lag period lasting up to 1.7 hr, rates of JH release of untreated CA (spontaneous) and FA-treated CA (stimulated) were determined by 2-hr sequential incubations of CA, following a 2-hr preincubation. FA-treated rates of JH III release were higher than spontaneous rates. In penultimate instars, the decline in the spontaneous rates during the latter half of the stadium was accompanied by a reduced degree of FA stimulation. In final instars, as the spontaneous rates declined between Days 2 and 6, the magnitude of the stimulation of JH III biosynthesis by FA increased, whereas in the second half of the stadium, the degree of stimulation was very low. Addition of exogenous FA to CA from late final instars increased FA production significantly more than JH III production. This apparent stimulation of FA biosynthesis is evident in CA with both high and low spontaneous rates of JH release and suggests that rate limitation of JH III biosynthesis in the final stadium occurs in part at the level of the o-methyl transferase which converts FA into MF.

Production of farnesoic acid and methyl farnesoate by mandibular organs of the crayfish, Procambarus clarkii

The mandibular organs (MO) of crustaceans secrete methyl farnesoate (MF) and farnesoic acid (FA). To better understand the secretory activity of MO, the kinetics of production and release of both compounds were determined in vitro by following incorporation of [2- 14C]acetate and l-[ 3H-methyl]methionine into MF and [2- 14C]acetate into FA by MO of Procambarus clarkii. MO released more FA than MF but contained more MF. In medium lacking unlabeled acetate, the percentage incorporation of [ 14C]acetate into MF, relative to [ 3H]methionine, was between 21 and 40%, suggesting that there may be an alternative source of C 2 units. MO produce similar amounts of MF at concentrations of acetate from 0.08 to 10 mM. However, the addition of exogenous unlabelled FA to incubation media did not stimulate the biosynthesis of MF, raising the possibility that unlike JH biosynthesis in insects, the last step in MF production may be rate-limiting. Nonetheless, exogenous FA significantly reduced the incorporation of [ 14C]acetate into MF, suggesting that the glands use exogenous FA to synthesize MF. The absence of stimulation of FA production by exogenous FA indicates that there is no feedback effect of this product on the early steps in the biosynthetic pathway.

Production of methyl farnesoate by the mandibular organs of the mud crab, Scylla serrata: Validation of a radiochemical assay

Parameters for the validation of a radiochemical assay to monitor the biosynthesis and release of methyl farnesoate (MF) by the mandibular organs (MO) of the mud crab, Scylla serrata, have been defined. On the basis of HPLC analysis, MF appeared to be the exclusive radiolabeled product of release, using [ 3H- methyl]methionine as precursor. HPLC of isooctane extracts of medium in which MO had been maintained similarly revealed that MF was the exclusive 3H-product and indicates that the isooctane partition assay can be employed to monitor MF release. The time course of MF biosynthesis and release suggested that the endogenous l-methionine pool is large, because both cumulative release and rate of release increased over an 8-hr incubation but remained constant between 8 and 16 hr. Glandular content of MF did not appear to stabilize until 6–8 hr after the start of the incubation. Cumulative MF release, as a function of glandular content or biosynthesis, increased gradually with time, but even after 16 hr the majority of biosynthesized MF was retained within the MO rather than released. l-Methionine concentration in the incubation medium influenced both MF biosynthesis and release, although the dose dependency was more apparent with biosynthesis. Although it was difficult to associate strictly a level of biosynthesis with l-methionine concentration, low rates of MF biosynthesis were observed at concentrations of less than 25 μ M. Because high levels of biosynthesis were observed consistently between 60 and 70 μ M l-met, all subsequent incubations employed a concentration of 65 μ M. MO of S. serrata show a striking asymmetry in MF biosynthesis and release which is not time dependent. Hence the comparison of right and left glands in assessing the effects of experimental treatments is precluded.