Search results for "Manduca"

Glycogen phosphorylase from flight muscle of the hawk moth, Manduca sexta: purification and properties of three interconvertible forms and the effect…

1994

Glycogen phosphorylase (EC 2.4.1.1) of Manduca sexta flight muscle was separated into three distinct peaks of activity on diethylaminoethyl-Sephacel. The three fractions of phosphorylase activity were further purified by affinity chromatography on AMP-Sepharose and shown to have the same relative molecular mass (=178000) on polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis under non-denaturating conditions and to produce subunits of molecular mass =92000 on SDS gelelectrophoresis. On the basis of their kinetic properties with respect to the activator AMP and the inhibitor caffeine, the three fractions of phosphorylase activity were assigned as follows: peak 1=phosphorylase b (unphosphorylated for…

Hormonal regulation of JP29 in the epidermis during Larval development and metamorphosis in the Tobacco Hornworm, Manduca sexta

1997

In vitro modeling of the ternary interaction in juvenile hormone metabolism

1996

The gradual decline in juvenile hormone (JH) titer followed by its complete clearance early in the last larval instar is required for the onset of the metamorphosis of lepidopterous larvae. JH titer is regulated by both biosynthesis and degradation. Two major pathways for JH metabolism, ester hydrolysis and epoxide hydration, are due to JH esterase (JHE) and JH epoxide hydrolase (JHEH), respectively. In vitro experiments designed to elucidate the molecular mechanism of JH metabolism are described. First, microsomal JHEH in Manduca sexta eggs was identified by using photoaffinity analogs of JH, and purified to homogeneity with ion exchange and hydroxylapatite columns. Purified JHEH from M. s…

Purification and reassessment of ligand binding by the recombinant, putative juvenile hormone receptor of the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta

1996

The 29 kDa protein from the larval epidermis of the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta, that specifically bound photoaffinity analogs of JH I and JH II was produced by a recombinant baculovirus (rJP29). The higher of the two molecular weight forms made corresponded to a protein that could be formed by read‐through of the TGA termination codon to the following TAA. The previously reported, apparent high affinity binding of [methyl‐3H]‐JH I by rJP29 as measured by the dextran‐coated charcoal (DCC) assay [Palli et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 91:6191–6195 (1994)] was found to be artifactual due to endogenous cellular esterases that co‐purified with rJP29 through both DEAE cellulose and MonoQ chrom…

Mutations in the Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Ca toxin demonstrate the role of domains II and III in specificity towards Spodoptera exigua larvae

2004

Several mutants of the Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1Ca toxin affected with regard to specific activity towards Spodoptera exigua were studied. Alanine was used to replace single residues in loops 2 and 3 of domain II (mutant pPB19) and to replace residues 541– 544 in domain III (mutant pPB20). Additionally, a Cry1Ca mutant combining all mutations was constructed (mutant pPB21). Toxicity assays showed a marked decrease in toxicity against S. exigua for all mutants, while they retained their activity against Manduca sexta, confirming the importance of these residues in determining insect specificity. Parameters for binding to the specific receptors in BBMV (brush border membrane vesicles) of S.…

8-N(3)-3'-biotinyl-ATP, a novel monofunctional reagent: differences in the F(1)- and V(1)-ATPases by means of the ATP analogue.

2001

A novel photoaffinity label, 8-N(3)-3'-biotinyl-ATP, has been synthesized. The introduction of an additional biotin residue is advantageous for easy detection of labeled proteins. This could be first tested by reaction with the F(1)-ATPase from the thermophilic bacterium PS3 (TF(1)). UV irradiation of TF(1) in the presence of 8-N(3)-3'-biotinyl-ATP results in a nucleotide-dependent binding of the analogue in the noncatalytic alpha and the catalytic beta subunits of TF(1), demonstrating the suitability of this analogue as a potential photoaffinity label. Reaction with the V(1)-ATPase, however, led to labeling of subunit E, which has been suggested as a structural and functional homologue of …

Pdl1 Is a Putative Lipase that Enhances Photorhabdus Toxin Complex Secretion

2012

The Toxin Complex (TC) is a large multi-subunit toxin first characterized in the insect pathogens Photorhabdus and Xenorhabdus, but now seen in a range of pathogens, including those of humans. These complexes comprise three protein subunits, A, B and C which in the Xenorhabdus toxin are found in a 4∶1∶1 stoichiometry. Some TCs have been demonstrated to exhibit oral toxicity to insects and have the potential to be developed as a pest control technology. The lack of recognisable signal sequences in the three large component proteins hinders an understanding of their mode of secretion. Nevertheless, we have shown the Photorhabdus luminescens (Pl) Tcd complex has been shown to associate with th…

Hypoxia and anoxia in insects: microcalorimetric studies on two species (Locusta migratoria and Manduca sexta) showing different degrees of anoxia to…

1995

Abstract Microcalorimetry was used to study the effects of graded hypoxia and anoxia on two species of insects that differ in their tolerance of anoxia. Locusts (Locusta migratoria) can survive an atmosphere of pure nitrogen for not more than 4 h (at room temperature), whereas hawk moths (Manduca sexta) can recover from more than 24 h of anoxia. To produce graded hypoxia, air and pure nitrogen were mixed and this mixture was passed through the cells of a twin calorimeter equipped with circulation cells. A gas flow containing 2% or more of oxygen had no significant effect on behaviour (as observed in parallel experiments using transparent cells) or heat flow rate. If oxygen content was reduc…

Covalent modificaition of juvenile hormone binding proteins by photoaffinity labeling: An unexpected gel shift effect

1994

The 32 kD juvenile hormone binding protein (JHBP) and two 80 kD proteins in larval Manduca sexta hemolymph were labeled with [3H]FDK, a photoaffinity analog of methyl farnesoate (MF). The labeling could be completely displaced by a 30-fold excess of either MF or JH II, demonstrating that [3H]FDK binds specifically to the JH binding sites of the 32 kD JHBP and the 80 kD proteins. In addition, a high molecular-mass protein was labeled with [3H]FDK; labeling could be displaced by excess MF but not by JH II, demonstrating the selectivity in binding MF. The 32 kD JHBP also appeared to weakly bind the potent juvenoid, methoprene, at the JH binding site. Covalent modification by [3H]FDK induced a …

Embryonic integument and "molts" in Manduca sexta (Insecta, Lepidoptera).

2002

In Manduca sexta the germ band is formed 12 h post-oviposition (p.o.) (=10% development completed) and is located above the yolk at the egg surface. The cells show a polar organization. They are engaged in the uptake and degradation of yolk globules, pinched off from the yolk cells. This process can be observed in the integumental cells during the first growth phase of the embryo that lasts until “katatrepsis,” an embryonic movement that takes place at 40% development completed. At 37% development completed, the ectoderm deposits a thin membrane at its apical surface, the first embryonic membrane, which detaches immediately before katatrepsis. The second period of embryonic growth—from kata…