Ecdysis-Triggering Hormones in Drosophila melanogaster; Molecular cloning and Biological activity. Y. Park 1,2, V. Fillipov 1,2, D. Zitnan 3, S.S. Gill 1,2, M.E. Adams 1,2. 1) Department of Entomology; 2) and Neuroscience, University of California, Riverside, CA; 3) Institute of Zoology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dubravska cesta 9, 84206 Bratislava, Slovakia.
Ecdysis-triggering hormones (ETH) initiate a defined behavioral sequence leading to ecdysis. A gene eth encoding peptides with ETH-like structure and activity in Drosophila melanogaster is identified. Conceptual translation showed that the open reading frame contains three canonical processing and amidation sites. Two of the predicted peptides (Drm-ETH1 and Drm-ETH2) were prepared by chemical synthesis and injected into pharate adults. Both peptides induce premature preeclosion and eclosion behaviors. Identification of eth provides opportunities for genetic manipulation of endocrine and behavioral events underlying ecdysis.