Abstract
The integument of insects in composed mainly of chitin and proteins 1,2. Maintenance of normal life functions requires that cuticular structures are sclerotized, either in smaller parts, such as mandibles, or in larger areas for the construction of the exoskeleton. Sclerotization of the insect cuticle actually results from the incorporation of diphenolic compounds into the outer parts of the integument. Due to the classical work of Karlson and his school 3,4, it is well established that N-acetyldopamine is an essential component of the sclerotization system in many insects. More recently, N-β-alanyldopamine has been discovered as another sclerotization agent 5.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
A.C. Neville, “Biology of the Arthropod Cuticle”, Springer Verlag, Berlin (1975).
R.H. Hackman, Chemistry of the Insect Cuticle, in: M. Rockstein, ed., “The Physiology of Insecta”, Vol. 6, p. 215, Academic Press, New York (1974).
P. Karlson and C.E. Sekeris, N-Acetyldopamine as Sclerotization Agent of the Insect Cuticle, Nature 195: 183 (1962).
P. Karlson and C.E. Sekeris, Control of Tyrosine Metabolism and Cuticle Sclerotization by Ecdysone, in.: H.R. Hepburn, ed., “The Insect Integument”, p. 145, Elsevier, Amsterdam (1976).
T.L. Hopkins, T.D. Morgan, Y. Aso, and K.J. Kramer, N-0-Alanyldopamine: Major Role in Insect Cuticle Tanning, Science 217: 364 (1982).
S.O. Andersen, Biochemistry of Insect Cuticle, Ann. Rev. Entomol. 24: 29 (1979).
P.C.J. Brunet, The Metabolism of Aromatic Amino Acids Concerned in the Crosslinking of Insect Cuticle, Insect Biochem. 10: 467 (1980).
H. Lipke, M. Sugumaran, and W. Henzel, Mechanism of Sclerotization in Diptera, Advan. Insect Physiol. 17: 1 (1983).
R.H. Hackman and M. Goldberg, Molecular Crosslinks in Cuticles, Insect Biochem. 7: 175 (1977).
J.F.V. Vincent and J.E. Hillerton, The Tanning of Insect Cuticle: A Critical Review and a Revised Mechanism, J. Insect Physiol. 25: 653 (1978).
M.G. Peter, Products of in vitro Oxidation of N-Acetyldopamine as Possible Components in the Sclerotization of Insect Cuticle, Insect Biochem. 10: 221 (1980).
R. Lang, Chitinsynthese bei dem Flußkrebs Orconectes limosus: Aktivität der Phosphoglucosamin isomerase und Einbau von [U-l4c]-Glucose in Chitin, Z. Vergl. Physiol. 73: 305 (1971).
M. Lunt and P.W. Kent, A Chitinase System from Carcinus maenas, Biochim. Biophys. Acta 44: 371 (1960).
A. Willig and R. Keller, Molting Hormone Content, Cuticle Growth and Gastrolith Growth in the Molt Cycle of the Crayfish, Orconectes limosus, J. Comp. Physiol. 86: 377 (1973).
M.G. Peter, L. Grün and H. Förster, CP/MAS-13C-NMR Spectra of Sclero- tized Insect Cuticle and of Chitin, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 23: 638 (1984).
L. Grün and M.G. Peter, Incorporation of Radiolabelled Tyrosine, N-Ace- tyldopamine, N-ß-Alanyldopamine, and the Arylphorin Manducin into the Sclerotized Cuticle of Tobacco Hornworm (Manduca sexta) Pupae, Z. Naturforsch. C 36: 1066 (1984).
L. Grün and M.G. Peter, Selective Crosslinking of-Tyrosine Rich Larval Serum Proteins and of Soluble Manduca sexta Cuticle Proteins by Nascent N-Acetyldopamine Quinone and N-ß-Alanydopamine Quinone, in: K. Scheller, ed., “The Larval Serum Proteins of Insects”, p. 102, Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart (1983).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1986 Plenum Press, New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Peter, M.G., Kegel, G., Keller, R. (1986). Structural Studies on Sclerotized Insect Cuticle. In: Muzzarelli, R., Jeuniaux, C., Gooday, G.W. (eds) Chitin in Nature and Technology. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-2167-5_4
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-2167-5_4
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-9277-7
Online ISBN: 978-1-4613-2167-5
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive