Ecdysone is the steroidal prohormone of the major insect moulting hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone. It groups with its homologues the steroidal molting hormones in arthropods, but they also occur in other phyla where they can play different roles. Besides ecdysteroids appear in many plants mostly as protection agents (toxins or antifeedants) against herbivorous insects.

The important developments and achievements in modern ecdysone science since the first edition in 1989 by J. Koolman have led to this new revised, expanded and retitled reference work. New chapters in this edition include RNA interference, the ecdysone receptor crystal structures and structure activity relationships, etc. Each article may also be read independently, as a review of that particular subject.

Complete up-to-date coverage of many important topics - the book is divisible into five conceptual areas: (1) Distribution and diversity of ecdysteroids in the two kingdoms is still basis, (2) In the post-genomic era, ecdysteroid genetic hierarchies in insect growth and reproduction, (3) Role of cross talk of genes and growth factors in ecdysteroid titers and signaling, (4) Ecdysteroids function through nuclear and membrane receptors, and (5) Ecdysteroids in modern agriculture, medicine, doping and ecotoxicology. Each of the 23 chapters is written by scientists active in the reviewed research area and a truly distinguished international team of contributors has been chosen.

Ecdysone, Structures and Functions will be of immense use and contains essential information for scientists, students, and professionals alike in entomology, endocrinology, physiology, chemistry, and agricultural, plant, biomedicine and environmental sciences.

Autorentext

Guy Smagghe is Professor at the Ghent University in Belgium. His major research interests are in the areas of insect physiology, biochemistry and (eco)toxicology with a focus on more fundamental topics and also applications impacting on the field of insect pest control. Dr. Smagghe has been the author or coauthor of about 150 research publications and books. His research has been continually supported by grants from the Ghent University, IWT and FWO, and he continues to serve in different national and international committees related to his research interests. He was awarded for his professional work by the prestigious First Prize of the Belgian Royal Academia of Arts, Sciences and Linguistics, and he is an elected fellow of the Society of In Vitro Biology.

Inhalt
Fundamental Aspects of Ecdysteroid Research: The Distribution and Diversity of Ecdysteroids in Animals and Plants.- Phytoecdysteroids: Diversity, Biosynthesis and Distribution.- Diversity of Ecdysteroids in Animal Species.- Crustacean Ecdysteroids and Their Receptors.- Synthetic Ecdysteroidal Compounds.- In the Post-Genomic Era, Ecdysteroid Genetic Hierarchies in Insect Growth and Reproduction.- Ecdysteroids and Ecdysteroid Signaling Pathways During Insect Oogenesis.- Regulation of Sciarid DNA Puffs by Ecdysone: Mechanisms and Perspectives.- The Ecdysteroids' Effects in the Control of Cell Proliferation and Differentiation.- Applications of RNA Interference in Ecdysone Research.- Role of Cross Talk of Genes and Growth Factors in Ecdysteroid Titers and Signalling.- The Function and Evolution of the Halloween Genes: The Pathway to the Arthropod Molting Hormone.- Recent Studies on Prothoracic Gland Cell Growth and Ecdysteroidogenesis in the Silkworm, Bombyx mori.- Diversity in Factors Regulating Ecdysteroidogenesis in Insects.- 20-Hydroxyecdysone, Juvenile Hormone and Biogenic Amines: Mechanisms of Interaction in Control of Drosophila Reproduction Under Normal and Stressful Conditions.- Ecdysteroids Function Through Nuclear and Membrane Receptors.- The Structure and Function of Ecdysone Receptors.- The Multidimensional Partnership of EcR and USP.- Functional Analysis of Ecdysteroid Receptor from Drosophila melanogaster In Vitro.- Intracellular Localization of the Ecdysteroid Receptor.- Genomic and Nongenomic Actions of 20-Hydroxyecdysone in Programmed Cell Death.- Rapid, Non-Genomic Responses to Ecdysteroids and Catecholamines Mediated by a Novel Drosophila G-Protein-Coupled Receptor.- Ecdysteroids in Modern Agriculture, Medicine, Doping and Ecotoxicology.- EcdysoneReceptors of Pest InsectsMolecular Cloning, Characterisation, and a Ligand Binding Domain-Based Fluorescence Polarization Screen.- SAR and QSAR Studies For In Vivo and In Vitro Activities of Ecdysone Agonists.- Ecdysone Receptor-Based Gene Switches for Applications in Plants.- Ecdysteroids and Their Importance in Endocrine Disruption Research.- Innovative and Future Applications for Ecdysteroids.