title: Presence of chitinase in adult Varroa destructor, an ectoparasitic mite of Apis mellifera.
abstract: The enzyme spectrum of an ectoparasitic mite of the honeybee. Varroa destructor (Anderson and Trueman) was studied using a semi-quantitative method, especially designed for complex samples which have not been purified. Exopeptidases and phosphatases are shown present. A chitinase and enzymes able to transform beta carbohydrates are also present with a large range in the intensity of the reaction. The role of the chitinase can be related to the supply of nutritional needs or/and the piercing and sucking behaviour of the adult parasite. Chitinase activity could be one factor influencing the balance between the parasite and its host.
authors.affiliation: UMR INRA-UAPV Ecologie des Invertébrés, Site Agroparc, Domaine Saint-Paul, Avignon 84914, France. colin@avignon.inra.fr
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Colin
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tchamitchian
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Bonmatin
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Di Pasquale
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001516:Bees / Q000469:parasitology*; D002688:Chitinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D010450:Endopeptidases / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D008925:Mites / Q000201:enzymology*
chemical_list: D002688:Chitinases; D010450:Endopeptidases