Chitin metabolism in insects: structure, function and regulation of chitin synthases and chitinases

作者：Hans Merzendorfer, Lars Zimoch · 发表于：Journal of Experimental Biology · 年份：2003 · DOI：10.1242/jeb.00709 · 被引用次数：1276 · 研究领域：Studies on Chitinases and Chitosanases、Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences、Legume Nitrogen Fixing Symbiosis

Chitin is one of the most important biopolymers in nature. It is mainly produced by fungi, arthropods and nematodes. In insects, it functions as scaffold material, supporting the cuticles of the epidermis and trachea as well as the peritrophic matrices lining the gut epithelium. Insect growth and morphogenesis are strictly dependent on the capability to remodel chitin-containing structures. For this purpose, insects repeatedly produce chitin synthases and chitinolytic enzymes in different tissues. Coordination of chitin synthesis and its degradation requires strict control of the participating enzymes during development. In this review, we will summarize recent advances in understanding chitin synthesis and its degradation in insects.