蜕皮激素是起始昆虫蜕皮与变态的关键激素。过去认为蜕皮激素具有脂溶性，是通过自由扩散进入细胞,与核受体EcR结合启动基因转录，即核受体途径。但蜕皮激素是否存在细胞膜受体及膜信号转导途径尚不清楚。我们前期研究表明蜕皮激素先要通过细胞质中的蛋白转运系统调控核受体EcR和热休克蛋白70入核、通过蛋白激酶PKC调控肌动蛋白结合蛋白calponin磷酸化并入核形成转录复合体，才能启动核受体途径的基因转录，说明蜕皮激素可能存在膜受体和膜信号途径。我们还检测到一个细胞膜受体参与蜕皮激素膜信号转导。在此基础上，我们拟进一步研究昆虫蜕皮激素的细胞膜受体及膜信号途径，包括：1）蜕皮激素细胞膜受体及功能；2)蜕皮激素细胞膜信号途径的成员及信号转导机理；3）蜕皮激素膜信号途径与核受体途径的关系；4）蜕皮激素膜信号途径的调控。通过该研究丰富和完善蜕皮激素信号转导途径及调控理论，为害虫控制提供靶标基因。

The holometabolous insects take place molting and metamorphosis during development. The molting hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone (20E) is the key hormone regulating molting and metamorphosis. It is known that 20E enters cells by free diffusion, and then binds with the nuclear receptor EcR of 20E for gene transcription (so called nuclear receptor pathway), because 20E is lipid soluble. However, it is not clear if 20E has plasma membrane receptor and the membrane signaling pathway. Our previous studies also showed that 20E has to transfer its nuclear receptor EcR and heat shock protein 70 into the nucleus by cytoplasma pathway for gene transcription. In addition, 20E through protein kinase C (PKC) phosphorylates actin binding protein calponin, and transfers calponin into nucleus to form transcription complex for gene transcription. These results suggest there is a plasma membrane receptor and the membrane pathway.We have already found a membrane receptor participating in 20E signaling. Therefore, we are going to study further: 1) the plasma membrane receptor of 20E and its function in 20E signal transduction; 2) the members in the 20E membrane pathway and the mechanism of the hormonal signaling; 3) the relationship of the membrane pathway and the nuclear receptor pathway; 4) the regulation of the 20E plasma membrane pathway. The goal of the study is demonstrating the 20E plasma membrane pathway, presenting new theory and new target genes for pest control.