Predominant contribution of an endogenous cellulase (OlCel) to the cellulolysis in the digestive system of larvae of banana pseudostem weevil, Odoiporus longicollis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae).

Insects have evolved with effective strategies to utilize cellulose as an energy source by possessing cellulolytic enzymes which can be used as an optimal resource in the bioenergy sector. The study was aimed at evaluating the cellulolytic enzyme in the larval gut of the banana pseudostem weevil, Odoiporus longicollis Olivier (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Primarily, cellulase activity was localized along the gut, in which the midgut showed the highest activity (2858 U/mg).

Cloning, expression and characterization of arcelin and its impact on digestive enzymes of the stored product insect pest, Callosobruchus maculatus (F.).

The pulse beetle Callosobruchus maculatus causes potential damage to legume crops by infesting the seeds, leading to a reduction of total protein content. Arcelin found in the wild accessions of the common bean, is an insecticidal protein that has the potency to hamper the metabolism of the bruchid beetle. The arcelin gene from the wild accession of Phaseolus lunatus was isolated and the ORF encoding 158 amino acids was cloned in pET-45b (+) vector.

Molecular genotypic diversity of populations of brinjal shoot and fruit borer, Leucinodes orbonalis and development of SCAR marker for pesticide resistance.

Background: The brinjal shoot and fruit borer, Leucinodes orbonalis is a destructive pest of Solanum melongena. The control of L. orbonalis with extensive application of synthetic chemical insecticides resulted in the development of resistance with known genetic heterogeneity among populations.

In silico analysis of carbohydrate-binding pockets in the lectin genes from various species of Canavalia.

Legumes are endowed with an opulent class of proteins called lectins that can detect tenuous variations in carbohydrate structures and bind them reversibly with high affinity and specificity. The genus Canavalia, in the family of Leguminosae, is considered to be an affluent source of lectin. An effort has been made to analyse the sequences encoded by the lectin gene and its carbohydrate binding pockets from three species of Canavalia, including C.

A serine protease-associated lectin in the cytolytic system of blowfly (Chrysomya megacephala) larvae: Evidence and characterization.

Cytolytic activity against invading microorganisms is one of the innate forms of immunity in invertebrates. A serine protease-associated sialic acid-specific cytolytic lectin was purified using glutaraldehyde-fixed ox erythrocytes from the larval extract of blowfly (Chrysomya megacephala). The purified lectin lysed vertebrate erythrocytes with effective haemolysis of ox red blood cells (RBCs) in an isotonic medium.

Antiviral activity of seselin from Aegle marmelos against nuclear polyhedrosis virus infection in the larvae of silkworm, Bombyx mori.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Traditional Indian medicine has utilized Aeglemarmelos (L.) Corr. commonly called as bael in several indigenous systems against various diseases.

Proteomics and Visual Health Research: Proteome of the Human Sclera Using High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry.

Eye disorders and resulting visual loss are major public health problems affecting millions of people worldwide. In this context, the sclera is an opaque, thick outer coat covering more than 80% of the eye, and essential in maintaining the shape of the eye and protecting the intraocular contents against infection and the external environment. Despite efforts undertaken to decipher the scleral proteome, the functional and structural picture of the sclera still remain elusive.

β-Galactoside binding lectin from caddisfly larvae, Stenopsyche kodaikanalensis with selective modes of antibacterial activity: Purification and characterization.

Insects sustain the invading bacterial pathogens by inducing the production of lectin which participates in surveillance of non-self molecules. The antibacterial property of lectin is an inevitable aspect of innate immune system especially for the insects feeding the detritus organic matter. β-galactoside binding lectin possessing antibacterial property was detected and purified from the hemolymph of larvae of caddisfly, Stenopsyche kodaikanalensis using affinity chromatography.

Analysis on the arcelin expression in bruchid pest resistant wild pulses using real time RT-qPCR.

Arcelin, the antimetabolic protein from wild pulses is a known natural insecticidal molecule. Wild pulses with high arcelin content could serve as potential source to. increase the levels of insect resistance in cultivated pulse crops.