Ecdysone: Structures and Functions (eBook)

Guy Smagghe is Professor at the Ghent University in Belgium. His major research interests are in the areas of insect physiology, biochemistry and (eco)toxicology with a focus on more fundamental topics and also applications impacting on the field of insect pest control. Dr. Smagghe has been the author or coauthor of about 150 research publications and books. His research has been continually supported by grants from the Ghent University, IWT and FWO, and he continues to serve in different national and international committees related to his research interests. He was awarded for his professional work by the prestigious First Prize of the Belgian Royal Academia of Arts, Sciences and Linguistics, and he is an elected fellow of the Society of In Vitro Biology.

Preface. Part 1: Distribution and diversity of ecdysteroids in the two kingdoms is still basis. 1. Phytoecdysteroids: Diversity, biosynthesis and distribution. 2. Diversity of ecdysteroids in animal species. 3. Crustacean ecdysteroids and their receptors. 4. Synthetic ecdysteroidal compounds. Part 2: In the post-genomic era, ecdysteroid genetic hierarchies in insect growth and reproduction. 5. Ecdysteroids and ecdysteroid signaling pathways during insect oogenesis. 6. Regulation of sciarid DNA puffs by ecdysone: mechanisms and perspectives. 7. The ecdysteroids’ effects in the control of cell proliferation and differentiation. 8. Applications of RNA Interference in ecdysone research. Part 3: Role of cross talk of genes and growth factors in ecdysteroid titers and signalling. 9. The function and evolution of the Halloween genes; the pathway to the arthropod molting, hormone. 10. Recent studies on prothoracic gland cell growth and ecdysteroidogenesis in the silkworm, Bombyx mori. 11. Diversity in factors regulating ecdysteroidogenesis in insects. 12. 20-Hydroxyecdysone, juvenile hormone and biogenic amines: Mechanisms of interaction in control of Drosophila reproduction under normal and stressful conditions. Part 4: Ecdysteroids function through nuclear and membrane receptors. 13. The structure and function of ecdysone eceptors. 14. The multidimensional partnership of EcR and USP. 15. Functional characterization of ecdysone receptor. 16. Intracellular localization of the ecdysteroid receptor. 17. Genomic and nongenomic actions of 20-hydroxyecdysone in programmed cell death. 18. Rapid, nongenomic responses to ecdysteroids and catecholamines mediated by a novel Drosophila G-protein-coupled receptor. Part 5: Ecdysteroids in modern agriculture, medicine, doping and ecotoxicology. 19. Ecdysone receptors of pest insects – molecular cloning, characterisation, and a ligand binding domain-based fluorescencepolarisation screen. 20. SAR and QSAR studies for in vivo and in vitro activities of ecdysone agonists. 21. Ecdysone receptor-based gene switches for applications in plants. 22. Ecdysteroids and their importance in endocrine disruption research. 23. Innovative and future applications for ecdysteroids.