Novel Steroid Hormone Assay

Background

Steroid hormones regulate diverse biological processes. Both mammalian puberty and insect metamorphosis are triggered by steroid hormones.  Manipulating steroid hormones prior or during metamorphosis may control pest insects.

Brief Description

Researchers at the University of California have identified in insects that the membrane transporter, Ecdysone Importer (EcI), is involved in the cellular uptake of the primary steroid hormone ecdysone. Specifically after transport through Ecl, ecdysone’s active form (20-hydroxyecdysone or 20E and related ecdysteroids) enters its target cells and binds to the ecdysone receptor (EcR), which forms a heterodimer with another nuclear receptor and activates transcription of multiple genes involved in molting and metamorphosis.

This new discovery of Ecl’s role counters the prevailing consensus that steroid hormones diffuse through cell membranes.  This will enable the screening of new compounds that interact with Ecl.  Such new compounds may be used for insect pest control.

Fig. 2 EcI mutants (bottom) were not able to enter into metamorphosis when compared to the control (top).

Applications

• A new assay to screen for chemical compounds that regulate hormone activity in insects and mammals.
• Compounds identified from screens may be used for insect pest control.
  

Related Materials

• Okamoto, N. et al. A Membrane Transporter Is Required for Steroid Hormone Uptake in Drosophila. Dev.Cell, October 4, 2018 - 10/04/2018

Patent Status