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Cathepsin L-like cysteine proteinase (DcCathL) from Delia coarctata (wheat bulb fly): Basis of insecticidal activity

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Angharad MR GatehouseORCiD

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Abstract

AcDNA encoding a cathepsin L-like cysteine proteinase (DcCathL) was prepared from gut tissue of larvae of wheat bulb fly (Delia coarctata: Diptera). The predicted protein is a homologue of the product of Drosophila melanogaster gene Cp-1 (CG6692), and is similar to a sub-family of cysteine proteinases found in other insects which have roles in tissue remodelling during development, and moulting. Recombinant DcCathL was produced using the yeast Pichia pastoris as expression host, and showed hydrolytic activity in vitro towards the synthetic substrate Z-Phe-Arg-AMC with a pH optimum of 4.5. DcCathL was insecticidal to lepidopteran larvae when injected into haemolymph, causing mortality that was accompanied by systemic melanisation, suggesting that DcCathL was affecting the immune-related proteolytic activation cascade leading to production of active phenoloxidase. This process is normally negatively regulated by serpins in the haemolymph. Recombinant serpins from cabbage moth (Mamestra brassicae) did not inhibit DcCathL, and were susceptible to degradation by the enzyme in vitro in buffer and extracted haemolymph. When M. brassicae larvae were co-injected with a lethal dose of DcCathL and exogenous recombinant serpins, no mortality or systemic melanisation was observed, suggesting that the insecticidal effects of DcCathL in vivo result from degradation of endogenous serpins. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.


Publication metadata

Author(s): Pyati PS, Bell HA, Fitches E, Price DRG, Gatehouse AMR, Gatehouse JA

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology

Year: 2009

Volume: 39

Issue: 8

Pages: 535-546

ISSN (print): 0965-1748

ISSN (electronic): 1879-0240

Publisher: Pergamon

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ibmb.2009.05.003

DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2009.05.003


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Funding

Funder referenceFunder name
BBSRC
Durham University
PSP
BB/E006280/1Crop Science Initiative

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