Involvement of tyrosine residues, N-terminal amino acids, and beta-alanine in insect cuticular sclerotization. 2007

Svend Olav Andersen
Institute of Molecular Biology, The August Krogh Building, University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 13, DK-2100 Copenhagen O, Denmark. soanderson@aki.ku.dk

During sclerotization of insect cuticle the acyldopamines, N-acetyldopamine (NADA) and N-beta-alanyldopamine (NBAD), are oxidatively incorporated into the cuticular matrix, thereby hardening and stabilizing the material by forming crosslinks between the proteins in the cuticular matrix and by forming polymers filling the intermolecular spaces in the cuticle. Sclerotized cuticle from the locust, Schistocerca gregaria, and the beetle, Tenebrio molitor, was hydrolyzed in dilute hydrochloric acid, and from the hydrolysates some components presumably degradation products of cuticular crosslinks were isolated. In two of the components, the sidechain of 3,4-dihydroxyacetophenone was linked to the amino groups of glycine and beta-alanine, respectively, and in the third component to the phenolic group of tyrosine. These three compounds, glycino-dihydroxyacetophenone, beta-alanino-dihydroxyacetophenone, and O-tyrosino-dihydroxyacetophenone, as well as the previously reported compound, lysino-dihydroxyacetophenone [Andersen, S.O., Roepstorff, P., 2007. Aspects of cuticular sclerotization in the locust, Schistocerca gregaria, and the beetle, Tenebrio molitor. Insect Biochem. Mol. Biol. 37, 223-234], are suggested to be degradation products of cuticular crosslinks, in which amino acid residues formed linkages to both the alpha- and beta-positions of the sidechain of acyldopamines.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008970 Molecular Weight The sum of the weight of all the atoms in a molecule. Molecular Weights,Weight, Molecular,Weights, Molecular
D002850 Chromatography, Gel Chromatography on non-ionic gels without regard to the mechanism of solute discrimination. Chromatography, Exclusion,Chromatography, Gel Permeation,Chromatography, Molecular Sieve,Gel Filtration,Gel Filtration Chromatography,Chromatography, Size Exclusion,Exclusion Chromatography,Gel Chromatography,Gel Permeation Chromatography,Molecular Sieve Chromatography,Chromatography, Gel Filtration,Exclusion Chromatography, Size,Filtration Chromatography, Gel,Filtration, Gel,Sieve Chromatography, Molecular,Size Exclusion Chromatography
D003889 Desert Climate A type of climate characterized by insufficient moisture to support appreciable plant life. It is a climate of extreme aridity, usually of extreme heat, and of negligible rainfall. (From McGraw-Hill Dictionary of Scientific and Technical Terms, 4th ed) Climate, Desert,Climates, Desert,Desert Climates
D006110 Grasshoppers Plant-eating orthopterans having hindlegs adapted for jumping. There are two main families: Acrididae and Romaleidae. Some of the more common genera are: Melanoplus, the most common grasshopper; Conocephalus, the eastern meadow grasshopper; and Pterophylla, the true katydid. Acrididae,Locusts,Romaleidae,Grasshopper,Locust
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D013712 Tenebrio A genus of beetles which infests grain products. Its larva is called mealworm. Mealworm,Mealworms,Tenebrios
D014443 Tyrosine A non-essential amino acid. In animals it is synthesized from PHENYLALANINE. It is also the precursor of EPINEPHRINE; THYROID HORMONES; and melanin. L-Tyrosine,Tyrosine, L-isomer,para-Tyrosine,L Tyrosine,Tyrosine, L isomer,para Tyrosine
D015091 beta-Alanine An amino acid formed in vivo by the degradation of dihydrouracil and carnosine. Since neuronal uptake and neuronal receptor sensitivity to beta-alanine have been demonstrated, the compound may be a false transmitter replacing GAMMA-AMINOBUTYRIC ACID. A rare genetic disorder, hyper-beta-alaninemia, has been reported. 3-Aminopropionic Acid,beta-Alanine Hydrochloride,beta-Alanine, Calcium Salt (2:1),beta-Alanine, Monopotassium Salt,beta-Alanine, Monosodium Salt,3 Aminopropionic Acid,Hydrochloride, beta-Alanine,beta Alanine,beta Alanine Hydrochloride,beta Alanine, Monopotassium Salt,beta Alanine, Monosodium Salt
D019476 Insect Proteins Proteins found in any species of insect. Insect Protein,Protein, Insect,Proteins, Insect

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