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Science 23 July 1982:
Vol. 217. no. 4557, pp. 364 - 366
DOI: 10.1126/science.217.4557.364
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Articles

N-beta-Alanyldopamine: Major Role in Insect Cuticle Tanning

THEODORE L. HOPKINS 1, THOMAS D. MORGAN 1, YOICHI ASO 1, and KARL J. KRAMER 2

1 Department of Entomology, Kansas State University, Manhattan 66506
2 U.S. Grain Marketing Research Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, Department of Agriculture, Manhattan 66502, and Department of Biochemistry, Kansas State University

N-beta-Alanyldopamine is the major tyrosine metabolite in the hemolymph and cuticle during pupal tanning in the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta L. Its concentration in hemolymph increases over 800-fold above larval levels by the start of tanning and decreases as the pupal cuticle darkens and hardens. It is a major catechol in species representing several insect orders and is the preferred substrate for pupal cuticular o-diphenol oxidase. In insects, N-beta-alanyldopamine appears to be the main precursor for tanning chemicals at certain developmental stages.

Submitted on March 22, 1982
Revised on April 26, 1982


THIS ARTICLE HAS BEEN CITED BY OTHER ARTICLES:
Laccase 2 is the phenoloxidase gene required for beetle cuticle tanning.
Y. Arakane, S. Muthukrishnan, R. W. Beeman, M. R. Kanost, and K. J. Kramer (2005)
PNAS 102, 11337-11342
   Abstract »    Full Text »    PDF »
Aromatic cross-links in insect cuticle: detection by solid-state 13C and 15N NMR.
J Schaefer, K. Kramer, J. Garbow, G. Jacob, E. Stejskal, T. Hopkins, and R. Speirs (1987)
Science 235, 1200-1204
   Abstract »    PDF »
Effect of a Novel Catechol Copolymer on Cuticle Sclerotization by the American Cockroach.
P. S. Bey, R. M. Ottenbrite, and R. R. Mills (1987)
Journal of Bioactive and Compatible Polymers 2, 312-324
   Abstract »    PDF »


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Science. ISSN 0036-8075 (print), 1095-9203 (online)