Changes in ecdysteroids during embryogenesis of the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus rathbun

Changes in ecdysteroid levels and expression patterns of ecdysteroid-responsive factors and neuropeptide hormones during the embryogenesis of the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus

Embryogenesis requires the involvement and coordination of multiple networks of various genes, according to a timeline governing development. Crustacean embryogenesis usually includes the first molt, a process that is known to be positively controlled by ecdysteroids. We determined the amounts of ecdysteroids, as well as other related factors: the ecdysone receptor (CasEcR), the retinoid X receptor (CasRXR), the molt-inhibiting hormone (CasMIH), and crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CasCHH) during the ovarian and embryonic developments of Callinectes sapidus. In summary, the ovaries at stages 1-4 have expression levels of maternal CasEcR and CasRXR 10-50 times higher than levels seen in embryos at the yolk stage. This large difference in the amount of the these factors in C. sapidus ovaries suggests that these maternal ecdysteroid-responsive factors may be utilized at the initiation of embryogenesis. During embryogenesis, the changes in total ecdysteroids and levels of CasEcR and CasRXR expression are similar to those observed in juvenile molts. The full-length cDNA sequence of the C. sapidus BTB domain protein (CasBTBDP) initially isolated from Y-organ cDNA, contains only Broad-Complex, Tramtrack, and Bric a brac (BTB) domains. The levels of CasBTBDP are kept constant throughout embryogenesis. The expression profiles of CasMIH and CasCHH are similar to the titers of ecdysteroids. However, the timing of their appearance is followed by increases in CasEcRs and CasRXRs, implying that the expressions of these neuropeptides may be influenced by ecdysteroids. Moreover, the ecdysteroid profile during embryogenesis may track directly with the timing of organogenesis of Y-organs and their activity. Our work reports, for first time, the observed expression and changes of ecdysteroid-responsive factors, along with CasCHH and CasMIH, during embryogenesis in the crustacean C. sapidus.

Breeding biology of the intertidal sand crab, Emerita (Decapoda: Anomura)

Emerita is a burrowing mole crab or sand crab, adapted to life in wave-washed sandy beaches of temperate and tropical seas. The reproductive biology of this anomuran crab presents several peculiarities, all contributing to its adaptation to this harsh environmental niche. We discuss the following aspects: 1) sex ratio and size at sexual maturity, 2) neoteny and protandric hermaphroditism, 3) mating behaviour and sperm transfer strategy, 4) synchronisation of moulting and reproduction, 5) environmental impact on reproductive cycle and egg production, 6) biochemistry of yolk utilisation and energetics, 7) larval development, dispersal and settlement and 8) the value of Emerita as indicator species. These aspects are discussed in the light of the life history pattern, comprising a sedentary adult and pelagic larval phases. The successful colonisation of the physically challenging habitat of the sandy beach by Emerita is attributable largely to reproductive strategy and the larval developmental and recruitment pattern. Sensitivity to changing environmental conditions, including pollution, make this intertidal crab an indicator species for monitoring anthropogenic impact.

Embryotoxicity of the alkylphenol degradation product 4-nonylphenol to the crustacean Daphnia magna

Laboratory studies have suggested that some alkylphenols and pesticides elicit developmental toxicity to crustaceans. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the possibility that the alkylphenol degradation product 4-nonylphenol is embryotoxic to the crustacean Daphnia magna through its known ability to interfere with the metabolic elimination of testosterone. Direct exposure of maternal daphnids to testosterone caused developmental abnormalities in neonates that consisted of partial arrest of early embryonic development and abnormalities in shell spine and first antennae development. Exposure of maternal daphnids to concentrations of 4-nonylphenol also produced developmental abnormalities though the profile of abnormalities was distinct from that observed throughout the testosterone concentration-response curve. Thus, 4-nonylphenol is a developmental toxicant in daphnids, but its toxicity is not consistent with that elicited by elevated testosterone accumulation. Further experiments demonstrated that testosterone was directly toxic to developing embryos, and the maternal organism can serve as the vector for this toxicity. In contrast, neither direct embryo exposure nor early maternal exposure to 4-nonylphenol elicited embryotoxicity consistent with that observed during continuous maternal and gestational exposure. Thus, 4-nonylphenol is not directly embryotoxic at these exposure levels, but rather toxicity is mediated by maternal influences during gestation. The threshold concentration for the occurrence of developmental abnormalities ( approximately 44 microg/L) indicates that typical environmental concentrations of 4-nonylphenol pose no imminent hazard with respect to developmental toxicity. However, these effects do occur at sufficiently low levels to warrant evaluation of the relative susceptibility of other crustacean species to this previously uncharacterized mode of toxicity.

Crustacean ecdysteriods in reproduction and embryogenesis

Ecdysteroids are the molting hormones in Crustacea, as in other arthropods. They also subserve functions in the control of reproduction and embryogenesis. The available evidence indicate that the ecdysteroids are sequestered into the ovary by binding to yolk precursor proteins. Steroidogenic ability of the ovary is yet to be demonstrated in Crustacea. Despite several investigations, the role of ecdysteroids in oocyte maturation is not fully known. However, the embryonic ecdysteroids undergo significant fluctuation, correlated to specific developmental stages, including the secretion of embryonic envelopes and cuticle. Ecdysteroid metabolism in the eggs seems to be active throughout embryogenesis inasmuch as the free ecdysteroids are rapidly converted into conjugates, and vice versa; in addition to their inactivation into excretory ecdysteroidic acids. Eyestalk neuropeptides such as molt inhibiting hormones have a dominant role on the ecdysteroid synthesis by Y-organ, although recent evidence suggests a stimulatory role for yet another endocrine gland, the mandibular organ on Y-organ synthesis.

A convenient synthesis of 25-deoxyecdysone, a major secretory product of crustacean Y-organs and of 2,25-dideoxyecdysone, its putative immediate precursor

25-Deoxyecdysone, a major secretory product of Y-organs of at least several species of crustaceans and the immediate precursor of circulating ponasterone A in these animals, can easily be synthesized from ecdysone. The present four-step procedure involves the formation of a mixture of delta 24,25 and delta 25,26 intermediates which might also be used to prepare a labeled reference compound for metabolic or binding studies. Similarly, 2,25-dideoxyecdysone was prepared from 2-deoxyecdysone. These compounds have been used to identify metabolites of [3H]-2,22,25-trideoxyecdysone (= 5 beta-ketodiol) formed by Y-organs of the shore crab, Carcinus maenas.

Ecdysteroid metabolism in a crab: Carcinus maenas L

Ponasterone A (25-deoxy-20-hydroxyecdysone) and 20-hydroxyecdysone were the major ecdysteroids detected in crab hemolymph, although some ecdysone was also present. The metabolism of ponasterone A was examined in intermolt and premolt crabs either by injecting the radiolabeled hormone or by incubating tissues in its presence. Metabolites were extracted from the surrounding seawater and from tissues and separated by high-performance liquid chromatography. Ponasterone A metabolism proceeds through (1) C-25 and C-26 hydroxylation, followed by formation of inactivation products via oxidation of the terminal alcoholic group to a carboxylic residue, (2) conjugation, (3) "binding" to very polar compounds and (4) side-chain scission. The conversion of ponasterone A into 20-hydroxyecdysone, inokosterone (25-deoxy-20, 26-dihydroxyecdysone), 20, 26-dihydroxyecdysone and ecdysonoic acids, as well as the formation of conjugates and of very polar compounds, occurs in various tissues. These metabolites were excreted by both intermolt and premolt crabs.

Structure of the egg funiculus and deposition of embryonic envelopes in a crab

The newly laid egg of Carcinus maenas is attached to a maternal ovigerous seta by a funiculus which consists of the two superimposed vitelline envelopes 1a + 1b, highly stretched and concurrently showing important structural alterations. The funiculus is glued to the specialized seta merely owing to the strong adhesiveness of its external face comprising the outermost vitelline envelope 1a, without any added adhesive. The subjacent envelope 2, originated from the cortical reaction, is not involved in such a funiculus elaboration. In the course of the embryonic development, four new coatings are successively secreted from the ectodermal embryonic cells, underneath the (1a + 1b + 2) fertilization envelope or embryonic capsule. They will remain until hatching in this concentric order, thus giving evidence of successive embryonic moulting cycles, with apolysis but without exuviation. In addition, the successive secretory phases, regarding to the embryonic envelope elaborations, happen in presence of high concentrations of the ecdysteroid ponasterone A which might be involved consequently in such secretory processes.

Inactivation and reactivation of 20-hydroxyecdysone during pupal-adult development of the fleshfly, Sarcophaga peregrina

The inactivation process of ecdysteroids during pupal-adult development of the fleshfly, Sarcophaga peregrina, was analyzed by following injected 3H-20-hydroxyecdysone, 20-Hydoxyecdysone was rapidly metabolized and converted mostly into three groups of metabolites, one of which was closely related to 20-hydroxyecdysone in its chemical nature and the other two were polar conjugates of 20-hydroxyecdysone (OA and OB). The first group of metabolites decreased through the first day after injection of 20-hydroxyecdysone, and began to increase thereafter. Those of conjugates OA and OB increased through the first day after the injection and then began to decrease. The conjugate OA introduced into phraate pupae changes to less polar substances, liberating 20-hydroxyecdysone at the beginning of adult development. Since the conjugates OA and OB did not exhibit any appreciable moulting hormone activity, we consider that some part of 20-hydroxyecdysone synthesized during larval-pupal development is stored as conjugate forms until the beginning of adult development, and that the conjugate OA is converted to 20-hydroxyecdysone for adult development.

Ponasterone A: a new ecdysteroid from the embryos and serum of brachyuran crustaceans

The apolar ecdysteroid present in the developing embryo of the blue crab, Callinectes sapidus Rathbun, is tentatively identified as ponasterone A (2 beta, 14 alpha, 20,22-pentahydroxy-5, beta-cholest-7-en-6-one) on the basis of chromatographic, immunological, and mass spectral evidence. The apolar ecdysteroid present in the serum of land crabs, Gecarcinus lateralis, in the late premolt stages of the intermolt cycle is also tentatively identified as ponasterone A on the basis of chromatographic and immunological evidence.