Insect Molecular Biology and Biochemistry

Lawrence I. Gilbert

• Publisher: Academic Press
• Year: 2011
• Print ISBN:
  9780123847478
• eBook ISBN:
  9780123847485
• Topic: Sciences biologiques
• Subtopic: Entomologie

The publication of the extensive seven-volume work Comprehensive Molecular Insect Science provided a complete reference encompassing important developments and achievements in modern insect science. One of the most swiftly moving areas in entomological and comparative research is molecular biology, and this volume, Insect Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, is designed for those who desire a comprehensive yet concise work on important aspects of this topic. This volume contains ten fully revised or rewritten chapters from the original series as well as five completely new chapters on topics such as insect immunology, insect genomics, RNAi, and molecular biology of circadian rhythms and circadian behavior. The topics included are key to an understanding of insect development, with emphasis on the cuticle, digestive properties, and the transport of lipids; extensive and integrated chapters on cytochrome P450s; and the role of transposable elements in the developmental processes as well as programmed cell death. This volume will be of great value to senior investigators, graduate students, post-doctoral fellows and advanced undergraduate research students. It can also be used as a reference for graduate courses and seminars on the topic. Chapters will also be valuable to the applied biologist or entomologist, providing the requisite understanding necessary for probing the more applied research areas related to insect control. - Topics specially selected by the editor-in-chief of the original major reference work - Fully revised and new contributions bring together the latest research in the rapidly moving fields of insect molecular biology and insect biochemistry, including coverage of development, physiology, immunity and proteomics - Full-color provides readers with clear, useful illustrations to highlight important research findings

Table of contents

• Cover image
• Table of Contents
• Front Matter
• Copyright
• Preface
• Contributors
• 1. Insect Genomics
• 2. Insect MicroRNAs
• 3. Insect Transposable Elements
• 3.1. Introduction
• 3.2. Classification and Transposition Mechanisms of Eukaryotic Transposable Elements
• 3.3. Methods to Uncover and Characterize Insect TEs
• 3.4. Diversity and Characteristics of Insect TEs
• 3.5. Search for Active TEs in Insect Genomes
• 3.6. Evolution of Insect TEs
• 3.7. TEs in Insect Populations
• 3.8. Impact of TEs in Insects
• 3.9. Applications of Insect TEs
• 3.10. Summary
• 4. Transposable Elements for Insect Transformation
• 4.1. Introduction
• 4.2. P Element Transformation
• 4.3. Excision and Transposition Assays for Vector Mobility
• 4.4. Transformation Marker Systems
• 4.5. Transposon Vectors
• 4.6. Transformation Methodology
• 4.7. Summary
• 5. Cuticular Proteins
• 6. Cuticular Sclerotization and Tanning
• 7. Chitin Metabolism in Insects
• 7.1. Introduction
• 7.3. Chitin Synthesis
• 7.4. Chitin Degradation and Modification
• 7.5. Chitin-Binding Proteins
• 7.6. Chitin-Organizing Proteins
• 7.7. Hormonal Regulation of Chitin Metabolism
• 7.8. Chitin Metabolism and Insect Control
• 7.9. Future Studies and Concluding Remarks
• 8. Insect CYP Genes and P450 Enzymes
• 8.1. Introduction
• 8.2. Diversity and Evolution of Insect CYP Genes
• 8.3. P450 Enzymes
• 8.4. P450 Functions
• 8.5. Regulation of P450 Gene Expression
• 8.6. Working with Insect P450 Enzymes
• 8.7. Conclusion and Prospects
• 9. Lipid Transport
• 10. Insect Proteases
• 11. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology of Digestion
• 11.1. Introduction
• 11.2. Overview of the Digestive Process
• 11.3. Midgut Conditions Affecting Enzyme Activity
• 11.4. Digestion of Carbohydrates
• 11.5. Digestion of Proteins
• 11.6. Digestion of Lipids and Phosphates
• 11.7. Microvillar Membranes
• 11.8. The Peritrophic Membrane
• 11.9. Organization of the Digestive Process
• 11.9.2.9. Lepidoptera
• 11.10. Digestive Enzyme Secretion Mechanisms
• 11.11. Concluding Remarks
• 12. Programmed Cell Death in Insects
• 12.1. Introduction
• 12.2. PCD, Apoptosis, Autophagy, or Necrosis?
• 12.3. Historical Overview and Current Trends
• 12.4. The Manduca Model
• 12.5. The Drosophila Model
• 12.6. Insights from Other Tissues
• 12.7. Summary and Conclusions
• 13. Regulation of Insect Development by TGF-β Signaling
• 14. Insect Immunology
• 15. Molecular and Neural Control of Insect Circadian Rhythms
• 15.1. Introduction
• 15.2. The Drosophila Circadian Pacemaker
• 15.3. Input Pathways to the Drosophila Circadian Pacemaker
• 15.4. Neural Control of Drosophila Circadian Behavior
• 15.4.1. Anatomy of the Drosophila Circadian Neural Circuit
• 15.5. Control of Circadian Rhythms in Non-Drosophilid Insects
• 15.6. Conclusions
• Index