NEUROENDOCRINE REGULATION OF REPRODUCTION AND BEHAVIOR

我的研究计划的总体目标是确定激素如何调节生殖和行为。作为理解这一规则的模型，我以龙虾为例，美洲龙虾。龙虾和其他十足甲壳类动物产生法诺酸甲酯（MF），一种与昆虫幼年激素有关的倍半萜。由于与JH的结构相似，MF被怀疑具有与JH相似的作用，调控昆虫的变态、生长、繁殖和行为。然而，明确证明MH的作用已被证明是困难的，主要是因为很难操纵内源性MF水平。MF的合成部位是下颌器官（MO），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中体内MF水平的控制提供便利的工具。在研究期间，我计划追求对这一总体研究目标至关重要的三个具体目标：1)MOIH的表征和测序。2)利用合成的MOIH或从龙虾中纯化的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.