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Science 6 May 1977:
Vol. 196. no. 4290, pp. 658 - 660
DOI: 10.1126/science.854740
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Articles

Science, Vol 196, Issue 4290, 658-660
Copyright © 1977 by American Association for the Advancement of Science

articles

Degradation and detoxification of canavanine by a specialized seed predator

GA Rosenthal, DH Janzen, and DL Dahlman

Larvae of the bruchid beetle Caryedes brasiliensis feed exclusively on seeds of the Neotropical legume Dioclea megacarpa, which contains 13 percent L-canavanine by dry weight. L-Canavanine, a nonprotein amino acid analog of L-arginine, exhibits potent insecticidal properties. Most of the seed nitrogen is sequestered in canavanine, and bruchid beetle larvae do not simply excrete this toxic compound. Instead, these larvae possess extraordinarily high urease activity, which facilitates the conversion of canavanine to ammonia through urea. In this way, canavanine is effectively detoxified and a supply of nitrogen for fixation into organic linkage is ensured.


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
L-Canavanine, a Dietary Nitrogen Source for the Seed Predator Caryedes brasiliensis (Bruchidae).
G. A. ROSENTHAL, C. G. HUGHES, and D. H. JANZEN (1982)
Science 217, 353-355
   Abstract »    PDF »
Plant Phenols Utilized as Nutrients by a Phytophagous Insect.
E. A. BERNAYS and S. WOODHEAD (1982)
Science 216, 201-203
   Abstract »    PDF »
L-Canaline Detoxification: A Seed Predator's Biochemical Mechanism.
G. A. ROSENTHAL, D. L. DAHLMAN, and D. H. JANZEN (1978)
Science 202, 528-529
   Abstract »    PDF »


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