Ecdysis triggering hormones (ETHs) from endocrine Inka cells initiate the ecdysis sequence
through action on central neurons expressing ETH receptors (ETHR) in model moth and
dipteran species. We used various biochemical, molecular and BLAST search techniques to
detect these signaling molecules in representatives of diverse arthropods. Using peptide
isolation from tracheal extracts, cDNA cloning or homology searches, we identified ETHs in
a variety of hemimetabolous and holometabolous insects. Most insects produce two related …