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Degradation of wool by Hofmannophila pseudospretella (lepidoptera: Oecophoridae) larval midgut extracts under conditions simulating the midgut environment
Author(s) -
Christeller John T.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
archives of insect biochemistry and physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.576
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1520-6327
pISSN - 0739-4462
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1520-6327(1996)33:2<99::aid-arch2>3.0.co;2-s
Subject(s) - midgut , biology , lepidoptera genitalia , in vivo , reducing agent , proteolysis , biochemistry , in vitro , degradation (telecommunications) , wool , larva , enzyme , botany , chemistry , organic chemistry , microbiology and biotechnology , materials science , telecommunications , computer science , composite material
The ability of midgut extracts of the keratinophagous larva, Hofmannophila pseudospretella (Lepidoptera: Oecophoridae), to catalyse degradation of wool was studied in vitro. A high rate of degradation was observed under anaerobic conditions in the presence of a reducing agent at pH 9.2 and at an oxidation‐reduction potential of −200 to −350 mV, values comparable to those observed in vivo. Rates were sensitive to the oxidation‐reduction potential and the nature of the reductant, being higher for sulphydryl compounds than for other sulfur‐based reducing agents and inversely related to the oxidation‐reduction potential for both classes of compounds. Degradation was measured as a two‐step process involving reduction/solubilization of wool proteins followed by proteolysis. The initial step was shown to occur via two pathways, enzymic and non‐enzymic. The enzymic pathway was the major route in vitro and was characterized by a requirement for a heat‐unstable, high molecular weight fraction of the larval midgut extract as well as a reducing agent for maximum rates. The possible nature of this activity and its in vivo importance are discussed. © 1996 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.