Cuticle tanning (or sclerotization and pigmentation) in invertebrates involves the oxidative conjugation of proteins, which renders them insoluble and hardens and darkens the color of the exoskeleton. Two kinds of phenoloxidases, laccase and tyrosinase, have been proposed to participate in tanning, but proof of the true identity of the enzyme(s) responsible for this process has been elusive. We report the cloning of cDNAs for laccases and tyrosinases from the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum, as well as their developmental patterns of expression. To test for the involvement of these types of enzymes in cuticle tanning, we performed RNA interference experiments to decrease the levels of individual phenoloxidases. Normal phenotypes were obtained after dsRNA-mediated transcript depletion for all phenoloxidases tested, with the exception of laccase 2. Insects injected with dsRNA for the laccase 2 gene failed to tan, were soft-bodied and deformed, and subsequently died in a dsRNA dose-dependent fashion. The results presented here support the hypothesis that two isoforms of laccase 2 generated by alternative splicing catalyze larval, pupal, and adult cuticle tanning in Tribolium.exoskeleton ͉ sclerotization ͉ pigmentation ͉ Tribolium castaneum ͉ RNA interference

Insect chitinases belong to family 18 glycosylhydrolases that hydrolyze chitin by an endo-type of cleavage while retaining the anomeric beta-(1-->4) configuration of products. There are multiple genes encoding chitinases and chitinase-like proteins in all insect species studied using bioinformatics searches. These chitinases differ in size, domain organization, physical, chemical and enzymatic properties, and in patterns of their expression during development. There are also differences in tissue specificity of expression. Based on a phylogenetic analysis, insect chitinases and chitinase-like proteins have been classified into several different groups. Results of RNA interference experiments demonstrate that at least some of these chitinases belonging to different groups serve non-redundant functions and are essential for insect survival, molting or development. Chitinases have been utilized for biological control of insect pests on transgenic plants either alone or in combination with other insecticidal proteins. Specific chitinases may prove to be useful as biocontrol agents and/or as vaccines.

Chitin is a major component of the exoskeleton and the peritrophic matrix of insects. It forms complex structures in association with different assortments of cuticle and peritrophic matrix proteins to yield biocomposites with a wide range of physicochemical and mechanical properties. The growth and development of insects are intimately coupled with the biosynthesis, turnover, and modification of chitin. The genes encoding numerous enzymes of chitin metabolism and proteins that associate with and organize chitin have been uncovered by bioinformatics analyses. Many of these proteins are encoded by sets of large gene families. There is specialization among members within each family, which function in particular tissues or developmental stages. Chitin-containing matrices are dynamically modified at every developmental stage and are under developmental and/or physiological control. A thorough understanding of the diverse processes associated with the assembly and turnover of these chitinous matrices offers many strategies to achieve selective pest control.