Dafachronic acids are
steroid hormone
A steroid hormone is a steroid that acts as a hormone. Steroid hormones can be grouped into two classes: corticosteroids (typically made in the adrenal cortex, hence ''cortico-'') and sex steroids (typically made in the gonads or placenta). Wi ...
s activate the
nuclear receptor
In the field of molecular biology, nuclear receptors are a class of proteins responsible for sensing steroids, thyroid hormones, vitamins, and certain other molecules. These receptors work with other proteins to regulate the expression of speci ...
Daf-12
The DAF-12 (abnormal dauer formation protein 12) gene encodes the nuclear receptor of dafachronic acid (a steroid hormone) in the worm ''Caenorhabditis elegans'', with the NRNC Symbol NR1J1 as the homolog of nuclear hormone receptor HR96''Hr96'' ...
/NR1J1 in ''
Caenorhabditis elegans
''Caenorhabditis elegans'' () is a free-living transparent nematode about 1 mm in length that lives in temperate soil environments. It is the type species of its genus. The name is a blend of the Greek ''caeno-'' (recent), ''rhabditis'' (ro ...
'' and related organisms, include
Δ4-dafachronic acid and
Δ7-dafachronic acid.
Both are generated by
Daf-9
The Daf-9 gene encodes a cytochrome p450 enzyme catalysis the generation of dafachronic acid (a steroid hormone) in the worm ''Caenorhabditis elegans'', with the CYP Symbol CYP22A1 (Cytochrome P450, family 22, member A1). After generation, dafachro ...
/CYP22A1 from respective precursors.
References
{{Reflist
Steroid hormones