cDNA cloning and deduced amino acid sequence of a major, glycine-rich cuticular protein from the coleopteran Tenebrio molitor. Temporal and spatial distribution of the transcript during metamorphosis.
In Coleoptera, the elytra (forewings), with a very hard and thick cuticle, protect the membranous and delicate hindwings against mechanical stress. We have isolated and characterized a cDNA encoding a major cuticle protein in Tenebrio molitor, named ACP-20. The deduced amino acid sequence is roughly tripartite, with two terminal glycine-rich domains and a central region showing pronounced similarities with some other hard cuticle proteins. Northern blot and in situ hybridization analyses reveal that ACP-20 gene expression is developmentally regulated since transcript accumulation occurs only in epidermal regions synthesizing hard cuticle and is restricted to the period of preecdysial adult cuticle deposition. Moreover, application of a juvenile hormone analogue prevents the appearance of the transcript, indicating that juvenile hormone, a key molecule involved in the control of insect metamorphosis, negatively regulates the expression of the ACP-20 gene.
Charles
J P
JP
Laboratoire de Zoologie, UA CNRS 674, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France.
Bouhin
H
H
Quennedey
B
B
Courrent
A
A
Delachambre
J
J
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D015180:Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D005998:Glycine / Q000032:analysis; D019476:Insect Proteins; D008675:Metamorphosis, Biological / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D013712:Tenebrio / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*
D019476:Insect Proteins; D011506:Proteins; C075200:ACP-20 protein, Tenebrio molitor; D004247:DNA; D005998:Glycine