Induction of translatable mRNA for dopa decarboxylase in Drosophila: an early response to ecdysterone

Epidermal cell-specific quantitation of dopa decarboxylase mRNA in Drosophila by competitive RT-PCR: an effect of Broad-Complex mutants

The quantitation of RNA in tissue homogenates by amplifying the product of reverse transcription (RT-PCR) is sufficiently sensitive to detect molecules in the range of 10(-1)-10(-2) amole. We describe here the steps we believe necessary to validate a protocol that used a DNA competitor and visualization of the amplification products by ethidium bromide staining. The procedure was designed to quantitate one of the tissue specific transcripts of the Dopa decarboxylase gene (Ddc) in Drosophila. We demonstrate that the amount of epidermal Ddc transcript is much lower at pupariation in several mutants of the Broad-Complex, one of the primary response loci of the moulting hormone, ecdysone. The mutant effects were allele specific and the molecular basis of one of these alleles is known. This implicates a particular family of the zinc finger proteins encoded by the locus in the hormone dependent induction of Ddc expression.

Developmental requirements for the ecdysoneless (ecd) locus in Drosophila melanogaster

The ecdysoneless locus in Drosophila melanogaster has been defined previously by a single conditional mutation, I(3)ecd1, that causes an ecdysteroid deficit and larval death at the restrictive temperature, 29 degrees C, although the primary role of the mutation in developmental processes has been unclear. Gene dosage and complementation studies reported here for ecd1 and five nonconditional lethal alleles indicate that the ecd locus plays prezygotic and postzygotic roles essential for normal embryonic development, the successful completion of each larval molt, adult eclosion, and female fertility. The ecd locus is also required for normal macrochaete differentiation. For each observed phenotype, the severity of mutational effects was correlated with ecd mutant genotypes. In all cases, ecd1 homozygotes were least affected. Mutants heteroallelic for ecd1 and any one of four nonconditional recessive mutations were more severely affected than ecd1 homozygotes, revealing these as hypomorphic alleles. For all phenotypic effects, mutants heteroallelic for ecd1 and a dominant mutation (ecd3D) were most severely affected. These individuals died during embryogenesis at 29 degrees C and developed no macrochaetes on the dorsal thorax when transferred to 29 degrees C during the white prepupal stage. The ecd3D mutation also caused female semisterility in heterozygotes. Ecdysteroid regulation has been implicated previously in all the developmental processes disrupted by these ecd mutations except for macrochaete differentiation.

Stimulation of polydnavirus replication by 20-hydroxyecdysone

During oviposition the endoparasitic wasp Campoletis sonorensis, introduces a polydnavirus into parasitized insects where viral gene expression is required for endoparasite survival. The polydnavirus is integrated into wasp chromosomal DNA and replicates only in the ovary. Ecdysteroids regulate the developmental expression of many insect genes and may regulate polydnavirus replication. Direct verification of viral replication was performed by dot blot hybridization and by amplifying DNA sequences containing the viral integration site; this 'junction' fragment cannot be amplified from integrated virus. Thoracic ligations and in vitro ecdysteroid treatments of wasp ovaries support the hypothesis that polydnavirus DNA replication is regulated by ecdysteroid during parasite development.

Genes for Drosophila small heat shock proteins are regulated differently by ecdysterone

Genes for small heat shock proteins (hsp27 to hsp22) are activated in late third-instar larvae of Drosophila melanogaster in the absence of heat stress. This regulation has been simulated in cultured Drosophila cells in which the genes are activated by the addition of ecdysterone. Sequence elements (HERE) involved in ecdysterone regulation of the hsp27 and hsp23 genes have been defined by transfection studies and have recently been identified as binding sites for ecdysterone receptor. We report here that the hsp27 and hsp23 genes are regulated differently by ecdysterone. The hsp27 gene is activated rapidly by ecdysterone, even in the absence of protein synthesis. In contrast, high-level expression of the hsp23 gene begins only after a lag of about 6 h, is dependent on the continuous presence of ecdysterone, and is sensitive to low concentrations of protein synthesis inhibitors. Transfection experiments with reporter constructs show that this difference in regulation is at the transcriptional level. Synthetic hsp27 or hsp23 HERE sequences confer hsp27- or hsp23-type ecdysterone regulation on a basal promoter. These findings indicate that the hsp27 gene is a primary, and the hsp23 gene is mainly a secondary, hormone-responsive gene. Ecdysterone receptor is implied to play a role in the regulation of both genes.

Genes for Drosophila small heat shock proteins are regulated differently by ecdysterone

Genes for small heat shock proteins (hsp27 to hsp22) are activated in late third-instar larvae of Drosophila melanogaster in the absence of heat stress. This regulation has been simulated in cultured Drosophila cells in which the genes are activated by the addition of ecdysterone. Sequence elements (HERE) involved in ecdysterone regulation of the hsp27 and hsp23 genes have been defined by transfection studies and have recently been identified as binding sites for ecdysterone receptor. We report here that the hsp27 and hsp23 genes are regulated differently by ecdysterone. The hsp27 gene is activated rapidly by ecdysterone, even in the absence of protein synthesis. In contrast, high-level expression of the hsp23 gene begins only after a lag of about 6 h, is dependent on the continuous presence of ecdysterone, and is sensitive to low concentrations of protein synthesis inhibitors. Transfection experiments with reporter constructs show that this difference in regulation is at the transcriptional level. Synthetic hsp27 or hsp23 HERE sequences confer hsp27- or hsp23-type ecdysterone regulation on a basal promoter. These findings indicate that the hsp27 gene is a primary, and the hsp23 gene is mainly a secondary, hormone-responsive gene. Ecdysterone receptor is implied to play a role in the regulation of both genes.

Ecdysterone receptor is a sequence-specific transcription factor involved in the developmental regulation of heat shock genes

Purification of ecdysterone receptor from Drosophila melanogaster to apparent homogeneity is reported. Purified receptor binds specifically to several sequences in the promoters of the developmentally active hsp27 and hsp23 heat shock genes that were previously implied in ecdysterone regulation of the genes and that share limited homology among themselves and with mammalian steroid receptor binding sites. Some of these elements confer ecdysterone regulation on a basal promoter in transfected cells, acting in a synergistic fashion. Transcription in vitro of promoters containing such elements is stimulated up to 100-fold by added purified ecdysterone receptor, depending on receptor dosage and the number of elements present. Transcriptional enhancement requires sequence-specific binding of receptor to template promoters which facilitates the formation of a preinitiation complex. Ecdysterone stimulates DNA binding of the receptor in vitro.

Ecdysterone receptor is a sequence-specific transcription factor involved in the developmental regulation of heat shock genes

Purification of ecdysterone receptor from Drosophila melanogaster to apparent homogeneity is reported. Purified receptor binds specifically to several sequences in the promoters of the developmentally active hsp27 and hsp23 heat shock genes that were previously implied in ecdysterone regulation of the genes and that share limited homology among themselves and with mammalian steroid receptor binding sites. Some of these elements confer ecdysterone regulation on a basal promoter in transfected cells, acting in a synergistic fashion. Transcription in vitro of promoters containing such elements is stimulated up to 100-fold by added purified ecdysterone receptor, depending on receptor dosage and the number of elements present. Transcriptional enhancement requires sequence-specific binding of receptor to template promoters which facilitates the formation of a preinitiation complex. Ecdysterone stimulates DNA binding of the receptor in vitro.

A unique zinc finger protein is associated preferentially with active ecdysone-responsive loci in Drosophila

Using an immunochemical approach, we have identified a unique antigen, PEP (protein on ecdysone puffs), which is associated in third-instar larvae with the active ecdysone-regulated loci on polytene chromosomes; PEP is not associated with most intermolt puffs and is found on some, but not all, heat shock-induced puffs. The distribution pattern changes with changing puffing patterns in the developmental program. We have screened an expression library and recovered a cDNA clone encoding PEP. PEP possesses multiple potential nucleic acid- and protein- binding regions: a glycine- and asparagine-rich amino terminus, four zinc finger motifs, two very acidic segments, two short basic stretches, and an alanine- and proline-rich carboxyl terminus. The Pep gene maps by in situ hybridization to the cytological locus 74F, adjacent to the early ecdysone-responsive region; however, the gene is not regulated by ecdysone at the level of transcription. The pattern of Pep expression through development suggests that maternal Pep gene transcripts are supplied to the embryo, and that the abundance of Pep gene transcripts decreases to a lower, fairly constant level thereafter. This unusual protein may play a role in the process of gene activation, or possibly in RNA processing, for a defined set of developmentally regulated loci.

Developmental expression of the glucose dehydrogenase gene in Drosophila melanogaster

The Gld gene of Drosophila melanogaster is transiently expressed during every stage of development. The temporal pattern of Gld expression is highly correlated with that of ecdysteroids. Exogeneous treatment of third instar larvae with 20-hydroxyecdysone induces the accumulation of Gld mRNA in the hypoderm and anterior spiracular gland cells. During metamorphosis Gld is expressed in a variety of tissues derived from the ectoderm. In the developing reproductive tract, Gld mRNA accumulates in the female spermathecae and oviduct and in the male ejaculatory duct and ejaculatory bulb. These four organs are derived from closely related cell lineages in the genital imaginal disc. Since the expression of Gld is not required for the development of these reproductive structures, this spatial pattern of expression is most likely a fortuitous consequence of a shared regulatory factor in this cell lineage. At the adult stage a high level of the Gld mRNA is only observed in the male ejaculatory duct.

Transcription at the ecdysone-inducible locus 2B5 in Drosophila

The Broad-Complex (BR-C) of D. melanogaster, mapping at the 2B5 early ecdysone puff, mediates ecdysone-induced processes. We present here the transcriptional analysis of the locus in both wild type and representative mutants. Two well defined regions are transcribed, only one of which has a pattern consistent with the proposed 2B5 located BR-C function. The 2B5 region is actively transcribed in early third instar larvae before ecdysone levels increase. Ecdysone switches this early pattern to a complex late type which requires the presence of functional BR-C product. Therefore, BR-C self-regulates its own ecdysone-induced transcription. The effect of 2B5 mutations on transcription at several intermolt, early and late puffs is also described. Null mutations at the 2B5 locus prevents ecdysone inducible transcription. This evidence supports the fact that 2B5 codes for an ecdysone-dependent transcriptional regulator.

Evidence that insect embryogenesis is regulated by ecdysteroids released from yolk proteins

That the yolk proteins (YPs), or vitellins, stored in the oocytes of insects are a nutritional store for subsequent embryogenesis has long been assumed. Exhaustive data base searching programs revealed highly significant sequence similarity between the three YPs of Drosophila melanogaster and part of the triacylglycerol lipase of the domestic pig. Based upon time of degradation of YPs during embryogenesis, existence of maternally stored ecdysteroid conjugates in embryos, location of these conjugates in locust embryos, and the fact that free active ecdysteroid hormones are released at a specific time in embryogenesis to trigger cuticle deposition, we postulate that the similarity reflects a common property of Drosophila YPs--the ability to bind the fatty acid ecdysteroid conjugates. Our finding of conjugated ecdysteroids tightly bound to purified Drosophila YP supports this prediction.

Isolation and characterization of the dopa decarboxylase gene of Drosophila melanogaster

We have isolated chromosomal deoxyribonucleic acid clones containing the Drosophila dopa decarboxylase gene. We describe an isolation procedure which can be applied to other nonabundantly expressed Drosophila genes. The dopa decarboxylase gene lies within or very near polytene chromosome band 37C1-2. The gene is interrupted by at least one intron, and the primary mode of regulation is pretranslational. At least two additional sequences hybridized by in vivo ribonucleic acid-derived probes are found within a 35-kilobase region surrounding the gene. The developmental profile of ribonucleic acid transcribed from one of these regions differs from that of the dopa decarboxylase transcript.

Temporal pattern of alcohol dehydrogenase gene transcription reproduced by Drosophila stage-specific embryonic extracts

Regulation of transcription during development has been analysed in vitro using extracts derived from Drosophila embryos. Transcription of mutant templates reveals cis-control regions of the alcohol dehydrogenase promoter responsible for temporal regulation. The activity of a trans-acting protein correlates with the profile of alcohol dehydrogenase expression during embryogenesis.

DdcDE1, a mutant differentially affecting both stage and tissue specific expression of dopa decarboxylase in Drosophila

The isolation and characterization of a unique Dopa decarboxylase (Ddc) mutant in Drosophila melanogaster is reported. This mutant, DdcDE1, exhibits stage- and tissue-specific altered Ddc expression. Homozygous DdcDE1 embryos, central nervous systems (CNSs) at pupariation and newly eclosed adult epidermis all have approximately 5% as much specific dopa decarboxylase (DDC) activity as the pr control stock in which DdcDE1 was induced. In contrast, the DdcDE1 epidermis at pupariation has roughly 50% as much DDC activity as controls, a 10-fold increase over the relative activity detected in other tissues and stages. Although the adult cuticle lacks proper pigmentation as expected in flies with low DDC activity (less than or equal to 5%), the bristles unexpectedly have wild-type black pigmentation. This implies that the bristle forming cells have more DDC activity than the rest of the adult epidermis. This variegated phenotype, black bristles and pale cuticle, plus the fact that DdcDE1 was originally isolated in a reciprocal translocation between proximal X heterochromatin and the euchromatic left arm of the second chromosome, 42 bands from the Ddc locus, suggested that the mutant might be an example of position-effect variegation. All tests for position-effect variegation, including persistence of the mutant phenotype when DdcDE1 was removed from the translocation, were negative. At pupariation DDC cross-reacting material (CRM) levels are similar in DdcDE1 and wild-type controls, but in newly eclosed adults CRM levels are approximately 35% of wild-type controls. This suggests that DDC produced by DdcDE1 adults has less activity per DDC molecule than the DDC produced at pupariation by DdcDE1. If the DDC enzyme produced by DdcDE1 at adult eclosion had full DDC activity (35% DDC CRM = 35% DDC activity) then no mutant phenotype would be exhibited by DdcDE1 since flies with as little as 10% activity have a wild-type phenotype. DDC thermolability assays clearly demonstrate that DDC from DdcDE1 is more thermolabile than control DDC at both pupariation and adult eclosion. Furthermore, DDC from adults in both DdcDE1 and the pr control is more thermolabile than DDC from white prepupae. Mixing experiments indicate the difference in DDC thermolability between pr white prepupae and pr adults is not due to a difference in the white prepupal and adult supernatants. This suggests that in wild-type different isoforms of DDC are produced either by differences in post-translational modification or as a result of a different primary amino acid sequence.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Delimiting regulatory sequences of the Drosophila melanogaster Ddc gene

We delimited sequences necessary for in vivo expression of the Drosophila melanogaster dopa decarboxylase gene Ddc. The expression of in vitro-altered genes was assayed following germ line integration via P-element vectors. Sequences between -209 and -24 were necessary for normally regulated expression, although genes lacking these sequences could be expressed at 10 to 50% of wild-type levels at specific developmental times. These genes showed components of normal developmental expression, which suggests that they retain some regulatory elements. All Ddc genes lacking the normal immediate 5'-flanking sequences were grossly deficient in larval central nervous system expression. Thus, this upstream region must contain at least one element necessary for this expression. A mutated Ddc gene without a normal TATA boxlike sequence used the normal RNA start points, indicating that this sequences is not required for start point specificity.

Modulation of novel-length DOPA decarboxylase transcripts by 20-OH-ecdysone in a Drosophila melanogaster Kc cell subline

The induction of DOPA decarboxylase (DDC) activity by 20-OH-ecdysone (20-OHE) in a subline of Drosophila melanogaster Kc cells was investigated. Cells cultured in the continuous presence of the steroid hormone exhibited a 96-h temporal lag prior to a peak of DDC enzyme activity while arrested in the G2 phase of the cell cycle. The concentration of Ddc RNA increased sixfold between 72 and 96 h after initial exposure to hormone. Similarly, this increase was correlated temporally with a 26-fold increase in DDC enzyme activity. The Kc Ddc primary transcript, processing intermediate, and mature mRNA all were approximately 500 nucleotides longer than the corresponding transcripts observed for newly eclosed adult D. melanogaster. In vitro translation of poly(A)+ RNA from Kc cells resulted in an immunoprecipitable polypeptide which exhibited similar mobility on sodium dodecyl sulfate gels to that of DDC synthesized in vitro by larval epidermal poly(A)+ RNA.

Modulation of novel-length DOPA decarboxylase transcripts by 20-OH-ecdysone in a Drosophila melanogaster Kc cell subline

The induction of DOPA decarboxylase (DDC) activity by 20-OH-ecdysone (20-OHE) in a subline of Drosophila melanogaster Kc cells was investigated. Cells cultured in the continuous presence of the steroid hormone exhibited a 96-h temporal lag prior to a peak of DDC enzyme activity while arrested in the G2 phase of the cell cycle. The concentration of Ddc RNA increased sixfold between 72 and 96 h after initial exposure to hormone. Similarly, this increase was correlated temporally with a 26-fold increase in DDC enzyme activity. The Kc Ddc primary transcript, processing intermediate, and mature mRNA all were approximately 500 nucleotides longer than the corresponding transcripts observed for newly eclosed adult D. melanogaster. In vitro translation of poly(A)+ RNA from Kc cells resulted in an immunoprecipitable polypeptide which exhibited similar mobility on sodium dodecyl sulfate gels to that of DDC synthesized in vitro by larval epidermal poly(A)+ RNA.

Delimiting regulatory sequences of the Drosophila melanogaster Ddc gene

We delimited sequences necessary for in vivo expression of the Drosophila melanogaster dopa decarboxylase gene Ddc. The expression of in vitro-altered genes was assayed following germ line integration via P-element vectors. Sequences between -209 and -24 were necessary for normally regulated expression, although genes lacking these sequences could be expressed at 10 to 50% of wild-type levels at specific developmental times. These genes showed components of normal developmental expression, which suggests that they retain some regulatory elements. All Ddc genes lacking the normal immediate 5'-flanking sequences were grossly deficient in larval central nervous system expression. Thus, this upstream region must contain at least one element necessary for this expression. A mutated Ddc gene without a normal TATA boxlike sequence used the normal RNA start points, indicating that this sequences is not required for start point specificity.

Overlapping transcription units in the dopa decarboxylase region of Drosophila

The many examples of overlap in the genes of various viruses and bacteria illustrate that the parsimonious utilization of the coding capacity of DNA is relatively common amongst prokaryotes. The recent discovery of a pupal cuticle gene within an intron of the completely unrelated Gart locus in Drosophila shows that overlapping transcription units also exist in higher organisms. However, the prevalence of such phenomena in unknown. We report here a quite different situation of overlap between the 3' termini of a pair of convergent transcription units in another region of the Drosophila genome. This 88-base-pair (bp) genomic region encodes the 3' terminus of the messenger RNA for the enzyme dopa decarboxylase (Ddc) and, in opposite orientation, the 3' terminus of the adjacent gene whose function is unknown. An analysis of the temporal and spatial distribution of the two transcripts within the organism shows that high levels of both transcripts are never concordant. However, within the testes, where the 3' transcript is maximally expressed, low levels of Ddc transcript were detected. This result raises the possibility that a hybrid molecule involving the two transcripts forms in vivo or that transcription interference occurs, with concomitant regulatory implications.

Structure and activity of salivary gland chromosomes of Drosophila gibberosa

In Drosophila gibberosa the maximum secretory output of the salivary glands is in the prepupa rather than in the late third-instar larva. Using salivary chromosome maps provided here we have followed puff patterns from late second-instar larvae through the time of histolysis of the salivary glands 28-32 h after pupariation and find low puff activity correlated with low secretory activity throughout much of the third larval instar. Ecdysteroid-sensitive puffs were not observed at the second larval molt but do appear prior to pupariation initiating an intense cycle of gene activity. The second cycle of ecdysteroid-induced gene activity a day later, at the time of pupation, appears somewhat damped, especially for late puffs. Salivary chromosome maps provided here may also be used to identify homologous loci in fat body, Malpighian, and midgut chromosomes.

Developmental control of transduced dopa decarboxylase genes in D. melanogaster

Seventeen new euchromatic integration sites of the dopa-decarboxylase gene (Ddc) have been generated using p-mediated transduction. The developmental expression of the integrated genes was examined by monitoring the embryonic induction of dopa decarboxylase enzyme activity (DDC) and by monitoring the developmental pattern of DDC activity from late third instar to eclosion. The majority of inserts are regulated correctly within about 30% of controls. Several cases of multiple insertion events were recovered and these show correspondingly elevated levels of activity and are regulated normally. The pattern of expression of one insert (15C) falls outside the normal range. Multiple copies of transduced Ddc genes are used to test for effects of elevated gene dose on levels of expression. One insert on the X chromosome shows little or no dosage compensation. Possible reasons for the differences between the regulation of transduced genes in Drosophila and the regulation of transformed genes in mammalian systems are discussed.

High levels of intron-containing RNAs are associated with expression of the Drosophila DOPA decarboxylase gene

We have examined the structure and expression during embryonic development of the Drosophila DOPA decarboxylase gene, Ddc. The Ddc gene is transcribed to make at least five different size classes of RNA. These RNA species first appear late in embryogenesis, coincident with induction of Ddc enzyme activity. The most abundant and smallest RNA appears to be Ddc mRNA. The sequences encoding this RNA are split by two intervening sequences. Each of the larger RNA species contains some or all of the intervening sequences. We have noted two unusual features of Ddc expression during embryogenesis. First, the intervening-sequence-containing RNAs are present as 20% or more of the polyadenylated Ddc RNA molecules, an exceptionally high proportion. Second, these RNAs do not disappear as rapidly as Ddc mRNA after Ddc enzyme activity reaches fully induced levels. These observations indicate slow rates of RNA processing relative to mRNA half-life and suggest that post-transcriptional steps participate in regulating Ddc expression. Although four of the five RNA species were detected at multiple developmental stages during which Ddc is expressed, one was found uniquely during embryogenesis. This RNA differs from Ddc mRNA in length and in time of expression during embryogenesis but is transcribed in the same orientation and from the same genomic sequences as the Ddc primary transcript.

Drosophila cells and ecdysterone: a model system for gene regulation

When Drosophila cell lines are exposed to physiological doses of the steroid molting hormone, ecdysterone, they enter mitotic arrest and differentiate morphologically. These responses are accompanied by specific changes in gene expression. Several enzyme activities (acetylcholinesterase, beta-galactosidase, dopa decarboxylase, and catalase) are induced and the synthesis of a cytoplasmic actin and the four small heat-shock proteins is initiated. Several of these ecdysterone inducible genes have been physically isolated and characterized, in several cases by DNA sequencing. Current studies focus on introducing cloned ecdysterone inducible genes into responsive cells by DNA mediated transfection. Once it is clear that these introduced genes acquire the normal pattern of hormone-regulated gene expression in the cell, in vitro mutagenesis can be used before transfection to modify their structure. Transient expression, then, can become a functional assay to define regions of DNA flanking the coding region of inducible genes that are needed for proper gene expression and regulation in cultured cells.

High levels of intron-containing RNAs are associated with expression of the Drosophila DOPA decarboxylase gene

We have examined the structure and expression during embryonic development of the Drosophila DOPA decarboxylase gene, Ddc. The Ddc gene is transcribed to make at least five different size classes of RNA. These RNA species first appear late in embryogenesis, coincident with induction of Ddc enzyme activity. The most abundant and smallest RNA appears to be Ddc mRNA. The sequences encoding this RNA are split by two intervening sequences. Each of the larger RNA species contains some or all of the intervening sequences. We have noted two unusual features of Ddc expression during embryogenesis. First, the intervening-sequence-containing RNAs are present as 20% or more of the polyadenylated Ddc RNA molecules, an exceptionally high proportion. Second, these RNAs do not disappear as rapidly as Ddc mRNA after Ddc enzyme activity reaches fully induced levels. These observations indicate slow rates of RNA processing relative to mRNA half-life and suggest that post-transcriptional steps participate in regulating Ddc expression. Although four of the five RNA species were detected at multiple developmental stages during which Ddc is expressed, one was found uniquely during embryogenesis. This RNA differs from Ddc mRNA in length and in time of expression during embryogenesis but is transcribed in the same orientation and from the same genomic sequences as the Ddc primary transcript.

Molecular mapping of a gene cluster flanking the Drosophila Dopa decarboxylase gene

Nine lethal complementation groups flanking the Drosophila Dopa decarboxylase (Ddc) gene, have been localized within 100 kb of cloned chromosomal DNA. Six of these complementation groups are within 23 kb of DNA, and all ten complementation groups, including Ddc, lie within 78-82 kb of DNA. The potential significance of this unusually high gene density is discussed.

Ecdysone and 20 hydroxyecdysone: new hormones for the human parasite schistosoma mansoni

The insect moulting hormones, ecdysone and 20 hydroxyecdysone, were detected by the combined use of radioimmunoassay and high performance liquid chromatography in the human parasite Schistosoma mansoni. On day 11 after infection only the ecdysone form is present, but, on day 40 after infection the ratio between ecdysone and 20 hydroxyecdysone changes with anatomic localization of the adult worms in mammalian host. In the eggs, the ratio of these two hormones is identical to the ratio found in sexually mature worms located in mesenteric veins. These data demonstrate for the first time that S. mansoni synthesizes the steroid hormones ecdysone and 20 OH ecdysone which are potent molecules in stimulating growth and vitello-genesis of this gonochoric trematode.

20-Hydroxyecdysone stimulates the accumulation of translatable yolk polypeptide gene transcript in adult male Drosophila melanogaster

Yolk polypeptide (YP) synthesis is hormonally stimulated during maturation of adult female Drosophila melanogaster. Synthesis of the three YPs is sex specific and occurs in fat body cells and follicle cells of adult females. However, males have been shown to produce YPs when treated with the steroid hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20-HE). By using a cell-free translation system as an assay for YP mRNA, we found that 20-HE also causes the accumulation of translatable YP message in males. In addition, hybridization of cloned copies of genes for both YP1 and YP3 to total RNA from males showed that 20-HE caused the appearance of YP gene transcripts in males. Eight hours after treatment of males with 20-HE, YP gene transcript levels had increased at least 25-fold to approximately 2.7 x 10(6) copies of YP1 gene transcript per adult male fly. In normal adult females, there were 42 x 10(6) copies per fly by 24 hr. There was neither detectable YP synthesis nor translatable YP gene transcript in either normal 1- to 3-day-old males or 24-hr-old males treated with a juvenile hormone analogue. This evidence shows that 20-HE acts to regulate the levels of translatable YP mRNA in male Drosophila.

Ecdysterone induced protein synthesis in salivary glands and in fat body of Drosophila melanogaster larvae

Salivary glands of 3rd instar larvae of Drosophila melanogaster were labeled with 3H-leucine in the presence and absence of ecdysterone. Twenty-six ecdysterone inducible proteins were detected. Their induction was correlated with puff stage. Synthesis of fifteen proteins commenced during early puff stage (PS2); synthesis of seven others at late puff stages (PS8-10). Synthesis of four proteins was induced between puff stage 3/4 and 7/8. Thus, the hormonal induction of protein synthesis generally reflected the appearance of early and of late puffs as described by Ashburner (1972). Eleven ecdysterone inducible proteins were detected in larval fat body in vitro. Comparison of the fat body to the salivary gland proteins revealed that one of the ecdysterone induced fat body proteins was identical in molecular weight and charge to one of the proteins induced by ecdysterone in salivary glands.