昆虫蜕皮是由数种激素分级调控的一个重要生长发育过程。在蜕皮之前,脑神经分泌细胞合成和分泌促前胸腺素(prothoracicotropic hormone,PTTH)并促进前胸腺中蜕皮激素(ecdysone,Ecd)的产生。随后,Ecd促进气门腺Inka细胞合成蜕壳启动激素(ecdysis-triggering hormone,ETH),同时抑制ETH的分泌,对ETH具有双重调控作用。血淋巴中Ecd滴度下降后,羽化激素(eclosion hormone,EH)促进ETH的分泌。最终,ETH启动昆虫的蜕皮。
Insect molting is an important process of growth and development controlled by a cascade of insect hormones, Prior to molting, brain neurosecretory cells synthesize and secrete prothoracicotropic hormone (P-FTTH) to stimulate the production of ecdysone (Ecd) by the prothoracic gland, Thereafter, Ecd promotes Inka cells to synthesize ecdysis-triggering hormone (ETH) but inhibits its secretion. Once the hemolymph Ecd titer decreases, eclosion hormone (EH) stimulates the secretion of ETH, Finally, ETH triggers the insect to molt.