Identification and characterization of midgut proteases in Achaea janata and their implications.
Insect midgut proteases are excellent targets for insecticidal agents such as Bacillus thuringiensis Cry toxins and protease inhibitors. The midgut proteases of Achaea janata have been characterized and Casein zymograms indicated at least five distinct activities corresponding to approx 17, 20, 29 and 80, and 90 kDa. Using a combination of synthetic substrates and specific inhibitors in casein zymograms, photometric assays and activity blots, three trypsin-like and one elastase-like serine proteases were identified but no chymotrypsin-like activity. Various proteinase inhibitors displayed differential inhibitory effects towards the midgut proteases.
Budatha
Madhusudhan
M
School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad 500046, India. madhusudhanhcu@yahoo.com
Meur
Gargi
G
Dutta-Gupta
Aparna
A
D000818:Animals; D004064:Digestive System / Q000201:enzymology*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000378:metabolism; D007814:Larva / Q000201:enzymology; D009036:Moths / Q000201:enzymology*; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases / Q000737:chemistry
D019476:Insect Proteins; D012697:Serine Endopeptidases