# MECHANISM OF MUSCLE TRANSFORMATION

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA · 1990 · $90,217

## Abstract

Claw transformation in Alpheus involves changes in claw morphology,
and in closer structure, neuromuscular physiology, and muscle
biochemistry.  We will pursue the mechanisms of these modifications
at a cellular and at a molecular level. At the cellular level we
will attempt to identify agents of change:  motor pathways are
essential for the observed modifications.  We will launch a
detailed search for the causative agent this will entail
examination of pre- and postsynaptic electrical properties using
both chronic and acute electrical recording techniques.  Non-
electrical signals important to muscle transformation expressed by
motor neurons imply new chemical agents.  The identity and cellular
sources of this message will be sought.  The specificity of target
response is most likely due to differences in presence of hormone-
specific receptors, either in the affected muscle fibers or in
cells which themselves produce a muscle fiber-specific agent.  To
this end we will attempt, by radioassay, to identify receptors for
20-hydroxyecdysone, an arthropod growth hormone know to be
effective in promoting molting and claw transformation in shrimps.
The identification of specific cellular targets of the hormone,
whether located in the muscle or within the nervous system, will
be a central focus in our search for causative cellular agents.
Finally, we hope to identify specific molecular mechanisms used to
bring about the switch in Troponin T isoforms that accompanies claw
transformation.  Is this a transcriptional mechanism, or is it
brought about post transcriptionally, for example, by alternate
splicing.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3158319
- **Project number:** 5R01AR037747-03
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA
- **SAM.gov UEI:** JJG6HU8PA4S5
- **Principal Investigator:** DEFOREST J MELLON
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1990
- **Award amount:** $90,217
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1988-09-30 → 1992-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3158319

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3158319, MECHANISM OF MUSCLE TRANSFORMATION (5R01AR037747-03). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3158319. Licensed CC0.

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