Shoji Fujioka

Biosynthesis of agr and beta-Ecdysones from Cholesterol outside the Prothoracic Gland in Bombyx mori.

Labeling experiments have established that cholesterol is converted into α-and β-ecdysones in isolated abdomens of silkworm larvae. Since the isolated abdomens do not contain the prothoracic glands, a doubt is cast on the long-standing principle in insect endocrinology that the prothoracic glands are the source of ecdysone secretion.

Extraction of ponasterone a and ecdysterone from podocarpaceae and related plants

Abstract A general procedure for extracting substances possessing insect moulting hormone activity, i.e., certain polyhydroxy steroids, from plant leaves is described. The screening of plants closely related to Podocarpus Nakaii for the ecdysones and ponasterones has led to the isolation of ponasterone A from P. macrophyllus , P. chinensis , and Taxus cuspidata , and the isolation of ecdysterone from P. macrophyllus and Taxus cuspidata .