Diversity of proteases in the keratinolytic larvae of the webbing clothes moth, Tineola bisselliella

Abstract

1. 1. A preliminary characterization of the proteolytic enzymes in the keratinolytic larvae of Tineola bisselliella has revealed a complex mixture of proteases. 2. 2. Aminoacyl arylamidase activity is extremely high and twelve different components can be identified on acrylamide gel zymograms. 3. 3. Endopeptidase activity includes both serine- and metallo-proteases. The serine-proteases include both trypsin-like and chymotrypsin-like enzymes.