A cDNA encoding a cuticle protein containing the R_R Consensus was characterized in the @entity5157 integument. @entity68685 developmental expression is distinguished by an on-off-on pattern, the transition from a low to a high level of transcripts occurring as the ecdysteroid titer is declining after the peak that triggers the onset of pharate (pupal and adult) development. The transcript is abundant during cuticle tanning and sclerotization, and persists even in the adult integument, suggesting that the corresponding protein is required for differentiation and maintenance of the adult cuticle. Such developmental pattern suggested that @entity68685 gene might be regulated by the titer of @entity8827 . We confirmed this hypothesis using different experimental strategies. By tying a ligature in early pupae to prevent exposure of abdominal integument to a high ecdysteroid titer, we delayed the accumulation of @entity68685 transcripts in the abdominal integument. This is consistent with ecdysteroid priming being required in pupae for the increase in @entity68685 expression in pharate adults. By injecting @entity11088 (20E) in early pupae we demonstrated that hormone titer decay after the peak is critical for @entity68685 expression induction. Exposure of pupal integument in vitro to a 20E concentration mimicking the pupal ecdysteroid peak repressed @entity68685 expression, which was recovered by hormone removal. Taken together, these data are consistent with an @entity8827 pulse (increase in hormone titer followed by its decline) being critical for a high @entity68685 gene expression in pharate adults.

A cuticle protein gene in the XXXX : expression during development and in relation to the ecdysteroid titer.

@entity68685 :: ('724777(Tax:7460)', 'Gene') :: ['AmelCPR14'] @entity11088 :: ('MESH:D004441', 'Chemical') :: ['20-hydroxyecdysone'] @entity5157 :: ('7460', 'Species') :: ['honeybee'] @entity8827 :: ('MESH:D026461', 'Chemical') :: ['ecdysteroid', 'ecdysteroids']
@entity5157 :: (7460,Species) :: ['honeybee']
