20-Hydroxyecdysone

A member of the ecdysteroid family - Ecdysone receptor (EcR) agonist. More potent than ecdysone - Induces the expression of genes coding for proteins that the larva requires, and it causes chromosome puffs (sites of high expression) to form in polytene chromosomes - Plays a key role in insect development, cell proliferaton, growth and apoptosis by controlling gene expression involved in moulting and metamorphosis. It acts through a heterodimeric receptor comprising the ecdysone receptor and the ultraspiracle proteins (USP) - Regulates lipolysis in insects - Appears in many plants mostly as a protection agent (toxins or antifeedants) against herbivorous insects - Used for controlled gene expression in scientific research, agriculture and medicine - Used for the development of selective insect growth regulators for use as environmentally benign insecticides - Shows biological effects on mammalian species - Neurosteroid. Antiepileptic. Acts on the modulatory site of the GABAA receptor and potentiates GABAergic inhibition in rat - Was shown to stimulate and modulate neutrophil production - Antidiabetic and antiobesity. Could be used as a nutritional supplement for the prevention and treatment of obesity and obesity-associated disorders - May protect PC12 cells against CoCl(2)-induced cell injury by inhibiting ROS production and modulating components of the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway - Does not have potent anabolic properties, however, a muscle-specific increase is observed and genes are identified to provide an explanation for the muscle accretion - Potential fibrosis antagonist for renal proximal tubule cells. Acts through suppressing post-receptor signaling of TGF-beta1 and blocking the expression of Snail.