Ecdysteroids are

arthropod Arthropods ( ) are invertebrates in the phylum Arthropoda. They possess an arthropod exoskeleton, exoskeleton with a cuticle made of chitin, often Mineralization (biology), mineralised with calcium carbonate, a body with differentiated (Metam ...

steroid hormone A steroid hormone is a steroid that acts as a hormone. Steroid hormones can be grouped into two classes: corticosteroids (typically made in the adrenal cortex, hence ''cortico-'') and sex steroids (typically made in the gonads or placenta). Wit ...

s that are mainly responsible for molting (ecdysis), development and, to a lesser extent, reproduction; examples of ecdysteroids include

ecdysone Ecdysone is a prohormone of the major insect molting hormone 20-hydroxyecdysone, secreted from the prothoracic glands. It is of steroidal structure. Insect molting hormones (ecdysone and its homologues) are generally called ecdysteroids. Ecdy ...

, 20-hydroxyecdysone (ecdysterone), turkesterone and 2-deoxyecdysone. These compounds are synthesized in arthropods from dietary

cholesterol Cholesterol is the principal sterol of all higher animals, distributed in body Tissue (biology), tissues, especially the brain and spinal cord, and in Animal fat, animal fats and oils. Cholesterol is biosynthesis, biosynthesized by all anima ...

upon metabolism by the Halloween family of cytochrome P450s. Compounds with ecdysteroid activity in arthropods are not only produced by these animals (''zooecdysteroids''). Phytoecdysteroids also appear in many plants mostly as a protection agents (toxins or antifeedants) against

herbivore A herbivore is an animal anatomically and physiologically evolved to feed on plants, especially upon vascular tissues such as foliage, fruits or seeds, as the main component of its diet. These more broadly also encompass animals that eat ...

insects. Fungi also produce a handful of ''mycoecdysteroids''. In addition, synthetic ecdysteroid pesticides such as methoxyfenozide have been produced.

Mammals

Ecdysterone has been tested on mammals due to the interest in its potential hypertrophic effect. It has been found to increase hypertrophy in rats at a similar level to some anabolic androgenic steroids and SARMs. This is proposed to be through increase of Calcium leading to activation of Akt and protein synthesis in skeletal muscles. A newer study points to

estrogen receptor beta Estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) also known as NR3A2 (nuclear receptor subfamily 3, group A, member 2) is one of two main types of estrogen receptor—a nuclear receptor which is activated by the sex hormone estrogen. In humans ERβ is encoded by t ...

. 20-hydroxyecdysone is a human drug candidate.

References

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External links

Ecdybase
The Ecdysone Handbook - a free online ecdysteroids database Steroids Insect hormones

Mammals

See also

References

External links