Laccase 2 is the phenoloxidase gene required for beetle cuticle tanning.

ABSTRACT: Cuticle tanning (or sclerotization and pigmentation) in invertebrates involves the oxidative conjugation of proteins, which renders them insoluble and hardens and darkens the color of the exoskeleton. Two kinds of phenoloxidases, laccase and tyrosinase, have been proposed to participate in tanning, but proof of the true identity of the enzyme(s) responsible for this process has been elusive. We report the cloning of cDNAs for laccases and tyrosinases from the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum, as well as their developmental patterns of expression. To test for the involvement of these types of enzymes in cuticle tanning, we performed RNA interference experiments to decrease the levels of individual phenoloxidases. Normal phenotypes were obtained after dsRNA-mediated transcript depletion

SUBMITTER: Arakane Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1183588 | biostudies-literature | 2005 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature