title: Cloning and structural analysis of a haemocyanin from the Stonefly Perla grandis.
abstract: We characterized two subunits of a putative haemocyanin from the stonefly species Perla grandis. In particular, we cloned and sequenced the corresponding cDNAs and studied their expression in different insect stages. Moreover, using the deduced amino acid sequences, homology studies were performed both on their primary and tertiary structures. 3-D molecular modelling data showed that the residues involved in the oxygen transport and subunits contacts were located in spatial positions preserving the functionality of the molecule. Despite it was paradigmatically affirmed that insects do not have respiratory proteins, our data suggest that the haemocyanin could be involved in the respiratory mechanisms of P. grandis. As far as we know, this is the first haemocyanin 3-D structure described and analyzed in insects.
authors.affiliation: Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Largo dell'Università, Università della Tuscia, 01100, Viterbo, Italy.
authors.forename: Romolo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Fochetti
authors.forename: Mariacristina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Belardinelli
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Guerra
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Buonocore
authors.forename: Anna Maria
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Fausto
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Caporale
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D006433:Hemocyanins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics; D007313:Insecta / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism*; D008018:Life Cycle Stages; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D011487:Protein Conformation; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D019476:Insect Proteins; D021122:Protein Subunits; D006433:Hemocyanins