The proteomic response in the crustacean molting gland of land crab Gecarcinus lateralis in response to artificially induced molting throughout its molting cycle.
Molting in crustaceans is a highly complex physiological process involving negative regulation by two paired endocrine glands, the X-organ/sinus gland complex (XO/SG) and the Y-organ (YO). The XO/SG complex is responsible for making molt-inhibiting hormone (MIH) which negatively regulates synthesis of molting hormones (ecdysteroids) by the YO. Eyestalk ablation (ESA) removes the source of MIH and provides an experimental means to manipulate and induce molting, although the physiological effects of ESA on the YO have not been fully characterized. Analysis of gene expression in the XOs and YOs has lead to the development of a proposed molecular signaling pathway which regulates ecdysteroidogenesis and subsequent molting (ecdysis) in crustaceans. Results presented depict the changes in significantly different protein abundances in the YO over the course of the molting cycle (early, mid and late premolt) in crabs where 5 or more walking legs were lost, termed multiple leg autotomy (MLA). Proteins were characterized using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and Delta2D software for statistical analysis. Future analysis will determine whether ESA can effectively mimic premolt conditions in the YO compared to the natural molting progression through protein identification by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. This will further resolve the metabolic and physiological changes associated with the transitions experienced by the YO throughout the molting stages. Determining the efficacy of ESA as a means to induce molting and determining molecular regulation of crustacean molting has broad economic impacts for crustacean fisheries as industry demands increase
