Ys. Xu et H. Kawasaki, Isolation and expression of cathepsin B cDNA in hemocytes during metamorphosis of Bombyx mori, COMP BIOC B, 130(3), 2001, pp. 393-399
Citations number
27
Categorie Soggetti
Biochemistry & Biophysics
Journal title
COMPARATIVE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY B-BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
By using RT-PCR and 5'- and 3'-RACE methods, we isolated cathepsin B cDNA f
rom hemocytes of Bombyx mori. The predicted open reading frame encoded 337
amino acids with 54% identity with the human cathepsin B, and 55% identity
with the 29-kDa proteinase of the blowfly. Three active sites characteristi
c for cathepsin B were conserved in the deduced amino acid sequences of BmC
tB cDNA at positions Cys-111, His-280 and Asn-300. Northern analysis identi
fied a 1.3-kb mRNA. Expression of BmCtB was observed in the hemocytes from
the day of wandering and was strongest at day 1 pupa. With in situ hybridiz
ation, strong signals were observed in the granular cells and plasmatocytes
of day 0 pupa, but not in those of day 5 of the fifth larval instar. The r
esults indicate another function of cathepsin B and insect hemocyte during
metamorphosis. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.