Knickkopf protein protects and organizes chitin in the newly synthesized insect exoskeleton.

ABSTRACT: During each molting cycle of insect development, synthesis of new cuticle occurs concurrently with the partial degradation of the overlying old exoskeleton. Protection of the newly synthesized cuticle from molting fluid enzymes has long been attributed to the presence of an impermeable envelope layer that was thought to serve as a physical barrier, preventing molting fluid enzymes from accessing the new cuticle and thereby ensuring selective degradation of only the old one. In this study, using the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum, as a model insect species, we show that an entirely different and unexpected mechanism accounts for the selective action of chitinases and possibly other molting enzymes. The molting fluid enzyme chitinase, which degrades the matrix polysaccharide chitin, i

SUBMITTER: Chaudhari SS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3193238 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature