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Midgut proteinase activities of three keratinolytic larvae, Hofmannophila pseudospretella, Tineola bisselliella , and Anthrenocerus australis , and the effect of proteinase inhibitors on proteolysis
Author(s) -
Christeller John T.,
Markwick Ngaire P.,
Burgess Elisabeth P. J.
Publication year - 1994
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/arch.940250207
Subject(s) - midgut , proteolysis , biology , aminopeptidase , biochemistry , serine , enzyme , leucine , endopeptidase , leucyl aminopeptidase , larva , microbiology and biotechnology , amino acid , botany
Abstract The midgut proteinase activities were characterized from the keratinolytic larvae of two lepidopterans, Hofmannophila pseudospretella (Stainton) (Oecophoridae) and Tineola bisselliella (Hummel) (Tineidae), and one coleopteran, Anthrenocerus australis (Hope) (Dermestidae). The major endopeptidase activities, characterized using specific enzyme inhibitors, were serine proteinases with hydrolytic activity against N‐benzoyl‐DL‐arginine‐p‐nitroanilide and against N‐succinyl‐L‐alanyl‐L‐alanyl‐L‐prolyl‐L‐leucine‐p‐nitroanilide. No significant levels of metalloendopeptidase or cysteine endopeptidase activities were detected. Aminopeptidase activity was present in all larvae. The enzyme levels and properties of the two moth larvae were similar to each other and to those of phytophagous lepidopteran larvae but different from those of the beetle larva. Whereas only a limited number of serine proteinase inhibitors inhibited the midgut proteolysis of the lepidopteran larvae, most inhibitors inhibited the midgut proteolysis of the beetle larva. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.