Steroid and Neuronal Regulation of Ecdysone Receptor Expression during Metamorphosis of Muscle in the Moth, Manduca sexta

Ecdysteroids regulate the remodeling of the dorsal external oblique 1 (DEO1) muscle during metamorphosis in Manduca sexta (). We show that the temporal and spatial patterning of the A and B1 isoforms of the ecdysone receptor (EcR) within muscle DEO1 corresponds with the developmental fates of the fibers. Using antibodies directed to specific isoforms of EcR, we show that the expression of various EcR isoforms in myonuclei differ among the five fibers of DEO1 and correspond with the developmental response of the muscle to the changing steroid titers and to the pattern of innervation. Muscle degeneration and apoptosis of myonuclei in all fibers are correlated with the expression of only EcR-A just before pupal ecdysis and then with the expression of low levels of both EcR-A and EcR-B1 shortly after pupation. Only the first fiber of muscle DEO1 participates in the regrowth of the adult muscle, and only this fiber shows an upregulation of EcR-B1 that is evident at 3 d after pupal ecdysis. Denervation of the muscle prevents both the upregulation of EcR-B1 and myoblast proliferation. We conclude that the developmental fate of muscle DEO1 during metamorphosis is orchestrated by interactions between rising and falling ecdysteroid titers, the pattern of expression of EcR isoforms by the muscle, and interactions with other cells in the local environment.