Characterization of trypsin-like enzymes from the midgut of Morimus funereus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) larvae

Abstract

The pH along the midgut of M. funereus larvae had different values, being acidic in the anterior section and basic in the middle and posterior sections. Elastase- and chymotrypsin-like activities were highest in the middle, low in the anterior, and negligible in the posterior section of the midgut. Trypsin-like activities were detected along the whole midgut, with more than 90% of activity in the anterior section. The level of elastase- and chymotrypsin-like activity was very low compared to trypsin-like activity. In the anterior section of the midgut, two isoforms of trypsin-like enzymes were found, both being basic and almost completely inhibited by benzamidine.

Keywords

• Cerambycidae
• Morimus funereus
• trypsin
• midgut peptidases
• synthetic substrate
• zymogram