Signaling Mechanisms in the Crustacean Molting Gland

甲壳动物蜕皮腺中的信号机制

• 批准号: 1257732
• 负责人: Donald Mykles
• 金额: $ 38.88万
• 依托单位: Colorado State University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2013
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2013-03-15 至 2018-02-28
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1257732&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Signaling; Mechanisms; Crustacean; Molting; Gland

Crabs, lobsters, and shrimp are ecologically and economically important crustaceans in marine environments. The hard, calcified shell provides protection and support, but restricts growth. As a result, these animals must periodically shed the shell, a process called molting. Upon molting, animals stretch the new shell before it hardens, providing more space for tissue growth. The entire process is controlled by molting hormone produced by a pair of molting glands. Little is known about the signaling genes that control the molting gland, in particular the genes required for committing the animal to molt. This "point of no return" decision is critical for survival and growth in all crustaceans. The research supported by this award will address the question: "What are the endocrine and molecular mechanisms controlling molting in crustaceans?" The studies will focus on the roles of the molt-inhibiting hormone (MIH), a global translation regulator called mechanistic Target of Rapamycin (mTOR), and a number of growth factor signaling pathways that mediate critical transitions in molting gland physiological states. The project involves a team of investigators from four universities using state-of-art DNA sequencing technologies to create a complete catalog of all the genes expressed in the molting gland, and physiologic assessment of the molting process. The research will identify genes essential for the activation of the molting gland and its regulation, both positive and negative, by environmental signals. The broader impacts of the award will include both educational, and resource benefits. The project will train 1 postdoc, 4 graduate students, and 6-8 undergraduates in molecular biological and biochemical techniques, as well as provide summer research experiences for 3 underrepresented ethnic minority undergraduate students. The results of the research will be compiled into a database that will be a valuable resource for researchers to manage fisheries, develop effective aquaculture practices, and mitigate the harmful effects of pollutants and climate change. Other results from the project will be disseminated through a symposium/special session at the 2015 SICB meeting, a public display at Bodega Marine Lab, a K-12 outreach program, and publication in peer-reviewed journals.

蟹、龙虾和虾是海洋环境中具有重要生态和经济价值的甲壳类动物。坚硬、钙化的外壳提供保护和支持，但限制生长。因此，这些动物必须定期脱落外壳，这一过程称为蜕皮。在蜕皮时，动物在新壳变硬之前拉伸它，为组织生长提供更多的空间。整个过程由一对蜕皮腺体产生的蜕皮激素控制。我们对控制蜕皮腺的信号基因知之甚少，特别是动物蜕皮所需的基因。这种“不归点”的决定对所有甲壳类动物的生存和生长至关重要。该奖项支持的研究将解决以下问题：“控制甲壳类动物蜕皮的内分泌和分子机制是什么？“这些研究将集中在蜕皮抑制激素（MIH）的作用，这是一种称为雷帕霉素机制靶点（mTOR）的全球翻译调节因子，以及一些介导蜕皮腺生理状态关键转变的生长因子信号通路。该项目涉及来自四所大学的一组研究人员，他们使用最先进的DNA测序技术来创建蜕皮腺中表达的所有基因的完整目录，并对蜕皮过程进行生理评估。这项研究将确定蜕皮腺激活所必需的基因，以及环境信号对其进行积极和消极调节的基因。该奖项的更广泛影响将包括教育和资源效益。该项目将培养1名博士后，4名研究生和6-8名本科生的分子生物学和生物化学技术，并为3名少数民族本科生提供暑期研究经验。研究结果将被汇编成一个数据库，这将是研究人员管理渔业，开发有效的水产养殖实践，减轻污染物和气候变化的有害影响的宝贵资源。该项目的其他成果将通过2015年SICB会议上的专题讨论会/特别会议、博德加海洋实验室的公开展示、K-12外展计划以及在同行评审期刊上发表来传播。