Hormonal Coordination of Growth and Reproductive Cycles in a Crustacean: Ecdysteroid and Retinoid Receptors.

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Crustaceans are a group of ecologically and commercially important organisms that continue to grow in size during the reproductive adult stages. Little is known about the exact physiological control mechanisms that allow these animals to switch back and forth between reproductive activity and somatic growth activity - both of which are physiologically demanding processes. Previous work in the laboratories of the principal investigators indicates that the hormonal coordination of growth and reproduction is under the control of the same steroid hormones - the ecdysteroids. This study continues the ongoing program of characterization of the patterns and functions of circulating hormones and the expression and characterization of the receptors for those hormones. The long-term objective is to define how a common hormonal signal can simultaneously influence a variety of discrete physiological programs. Further, a better understanding of how the same steroid hormone (s) control both male and female reproduction plus the shedding of the shell will contribute a great deal to improve the commercial raising of lobsters, shrimps, and crabs. This project will also provide training and educational opportunities for students.