NEUROENDOCRINE REGULATION OF REPRODUCTION AND BEHAVIOR

我的研究项目的总体目标是确定荷尔蒙如何调节生殖和行为。作为理解这一规定的模型，我使用了龙虾--美国人虾。龙虾和其他十足类甲壳类动物产生法尼苏酸甲酯(MF)，这是一种与昆虫保幼激素有关的倍半萜。由于在结构上与JH相似，Mf被认为具有与JH相似的作用，后者调节昆虫的变态、生长、繁殖和行为。然而，事实证明，明确证明MH的作用是困难的，很大程度上是因为它很难操纵内源性MF水平。MF的合成部位是下颌器官(MO)，该器官部分受眼柄神经内分泌化合物的调节。其中之一是抑制MO功能的多肽(MOIH，MO抑制激素)。MOIH的分离和最终的合成或表达将为研究其生理作用提供一种在体内控制MF水平的便利工具。在研究期间，我计划追求对整个研究目标至关重要的三个具体目标：1)MOIH的特征和排序。2)用人工合成的MOIH或从龙虾中提纯的MOIH制备抗MOIH抗血清。3)利用该抗血清建立体内调节MF水平的参数。

The overall aim of my research program is to determine how hormones regulate reproduction and behavior. As a model for understanding this regulation, I am using the lobster, Homarus americanus. Lobsters and other decapod crustaceans produce methyl farnesoate (MF), a sesquiterpene that is related to insect juvenile hormone. Because of structural similarity to JH, MF is suspected to have roles similar to JH, which regulate insect metamorphosis, growth, reproduction and behavior. However, the unequivocal demonstration of a role for MH has proven difficult, largely because it is difficult to manipulate endogenous levels of MF. The synthetic site of MF is the mandibular organ (MO) which is regulated in part by neuroendocrine compounds from the eyestalk. One of these is a peptide that inhibits MO function (MOIH, MO inhibiting hormone). The isolation and eventual synthesis or expression of MOIH would provide a convenient tools for controlling MF levels in vivo in studies of its physiological roles. During the research period I plan to pursue three specific goals that are fundamental to this overall research objective: 1) The characterization and sequencing of MOIH. 2) The use of synthetic MOIH or MOIH purified from lobsters to produce an anti-MOIH antiserum. 3) The use of this antiserum to establish parameters for regulating MF levels in vivo.