Role of stress-responsive genes in the molt cycle of decapod crustaceans

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the inhibition of molting by environmental stress in decapods. The general hypothesis describes that environmental stressors inhibit synthesis and secretion of molting hormones (ecdysteroids) by the molting gland, or Y-organ (YO), through stress response signaling genes in the mTOR signaling pathway. It is predicted that premolt animals of Gecarcinus lateralis will be more sensitive to thermal stress compared to those in intermolt stages, and that G. lateralis will be more sensitive to environmental stresses such as temperature or desiccation than Carcinus maenas. The aims of this study were to review of state of the art on molting in decapods, regulation of molt cycle by environmental stress, design of model of stress response in decapods (Chapter 1), Isolate, identify and characterize cDNAs encoding stress response genes in G. lateralis and C. maenas (Chapter 2), Quantify the effects of acute thermal stress on the Y-organ of Multiple Leg Autotomy (MLA) and Eyestalk Ablated (ESA) intermolt, premolt, and postmolt G. lateralis (Chapter 3), and Quantify the effects of desiccation on gene expression and mTOR activity in intermolt animals of C. maenas (Chapter 4).