Ecdysteroid

Ecdysteroids are arthropod steroid hormones that are mainly responsible for molting (ecdysis), development and, to a lesser extent, reproduction; examples of ecdysteroids include ecdysone, 20-hydroxyecdysone (ecdysterone), turkesterone and 2-deoxyecdysone. These compounds are synthesized in arthropods from dietary cholesterol upon metabolism by the Halloween family of cytochrome P450s.

Compounds with ecdysteroid activity in arthropods are not only produced by these animals (zooecdysteroids). Phytoecdysteroids also appear in many plants mostly as a protection agents (toxins or antifeedants) against herbivore insects. Fungi also produce a handful of mycoecdysteroids. In addition, synthetic ecdysteroid pesticides such as methoxyfenozide have been produced.

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