Chitin metabolism in insects: structure, function and regulation of chitin synthases and chitinases
Autor(en): | Merzendorfer, H Zimoch, L |
Stichwörter: | BETA-N-ACETYLGLUCOSAMINIDASE; Biology; BOMBYX-MORI; CELL-FREE-EXTRACTS; chitin; chitin synthase; chitin synthesis; chitinase; cuticle; FAMILY 18 CHITINASES; insect; JUVENILE-HORMONE BIOSYNTHESIS; LARVAL-PUPAL TRANSFORMATION; Life Sciences & Biomedicine - Other Topics; MANDUCA-SEXTA CHITINASE; MOLTING FLUID; peritrophic matrix; SITE-DIRECTED MUTAGENESIS; TOBACCO HORNWORM | Erscheinungsdatum: | 2003 | Herausgeber: | COMPANY BIOLOGISTS LTD | Journal: | JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY | Volumen: | 206 | Ausgabe: | 24 | Startseite: | 4393 | Seitenende: | 4412 | Zusammenfassung: | Chitin is one of the most important biopolymers in nature. It is mainly produced by fungi, arthropods and nematodes. In insects, it functions as scaffold material, supporting the cuticles of the epidermis and trachea as well as the peritrophic matrices lining the gut epithelium. Insect growth and morphogenesis are strictly dependent on the capability to remodel chitin-containing structures. For this purpose, insects repeatedly produce chitin synthases and chitinolytic enzymes in different tissues. Coordination of chitin synthesis and its degradation requires strict control of the participating enzymes during development. In this review, we will summarize recent advances in understanding chitin synthesis and its degradation in insects. |
ISSN: | 00220949 | DOI: | 10.1242/jeb.00709 |
Zur Langanzeige
Seitenaufrufe
11
Letzte Woche
0
0
Letzter Monat
2
2
geprüft am 13.05.2024