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Exogenous ecdysteroids elicit low-threshold sensory responses in spiny lobsters

Journal Article · · J. Exp. Zool.; (United States)
Electrophysiological recordings from chemoreceptors in the lateral antennule of Panulirus interruptus reveal low threshold detection of 10/sup -13/ M ..beta..-ecdysone or 10/sup -12/ M ..cap alpha..-ecdysone with a latency of less than 1 second. Responses to either ..cap alpha..- or ..beta..-ecdysone were recorded from juvenile, female (with and without spermatophores or bearing eggs), and male lobsters in intermolt and premolt stages. Receptors responding to ..cap alpha..-ecdysone did not respond to 2.9 X 10/sup -11/ M ..beta..-ecdysone. The behavioral function of this low threshold detection is not known, but ecdysteroids may be important in intra- or interspecific communication. The short latency of this neural response to ecdysteroids strongly implicates interaction with a membrane-associated component. Thus, the chemoreceptors in the lateral antennule of P. interruptus may provide a valuable system for the study of the affinity and specificity of membrane-bound ecdysteroid receptors for comparison to previously described cytoplasmic and nuclear ecdysteroid receptors and membrane-associated receptors specific for other steroid compounds. 25 references, 1 figure, 1 table.
Research Organization:
Univ. of California, Santa Barbara
OSTI ID:
5932771
Journal Information:
J. Exp. Zool.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Exp. Zool.; (United States) Vol. 229; ISSN JEZOA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English