Abstract
To help in the development of Sunn Pest-resistant transgenic plants employing protease or α-amylase inhibitors, midgut hydrolytic enzymes of Sunn Pest (Eurygaster integriceps, Put.) (Heteroptera: Scutelleridae) were identified and characterized biochemically. We observed levels of very low proteolytic activity of trypsin (3 nmoles/min/mg), elastase (0.66 nmoles/min/mg) and leucine aminopeptidase-like (14.4 nmoles/min/mg) proteases, but no chymotrypsin and papain-like activity. Proteolytic activities were insensitive to inhibition by soybean trypsin inhibitor (SBTI) and aprotinin, but were inhibited to varying degrees (40–100%) by the synthetic protease inhibitors PMSF, TPCK, CdCl2 and CuCl2. Compared to proteolytic activity, significantly higher amylolytic activity (4.45 mmoles/min/mg) was observed. Αlpha-amylase activity was found to be resistant to inhibition by bean and chickpea α-amylase inhibitors, and only slightly inhibited by wheat (36.9 ± 1.8%) and maize (40.2 ± 2.8) α-amylase inhibitors. Here, we report on the biochemical properties of digestive enzymes from Sunn Pest midgut, and their inhibition patterns by several synthetic and natural hydrolytic enzyme inhibitors.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
