Abstract
The production of the subtilisin proteinase, PR1, and the trypsin-like enzyme, PR2, in liquid cultures of 19 isolates ofMetarhiziumspp. was investigated. PR1 activity was generally observed 72 h after inoculation whilst PR2 activity was detected in most strains 48 h after inoculation. PR1 was partially purified from each isolate ofMetarhiziumspp. The ability of this enzyme from each isolate to degrade different types of insect cuticle was investigated. The cuticle types used wereManduca sextapupal cuticle, adult desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria) wing cuticle, abdominal cuticle, and pharate adult locust abdominal cuticle. These cuticle types differ in their protein composition and degree of sclerotization. PR1 hydrolyzed the locust cuticle to different degrees. The data suggest a hierarchy for the susceptibility to hydrolysis in the order pharate adult abdominal > adult abdominal > wing. There was no significant correlation between the ability of the enzymes to degrade any of the cuticle types and median lethal time of the isolates against the desert locust. However, a correlation was found between the ability of enzymes to hydrolyze different locust cuticles. Such correlations were not apparent to the same extent betweenM. sextacuticle and the locust cuticles. These results are discussed in terms of a possible contribution of PR1 to host specificity.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: 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.