Ecdysone metabolism: Ecdysone dehydrogenase‐isomerase

Abstract

Abstract An enzyme system that converts α‐ecdysone to its hormonally less active 3α‐epimer was detected only in the midgut of the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta (L.). This system appears to be specific for the ecdysones and may represent a metabolic control point for regulating molting hormone activity.