The class A chitin synthase gene of Spodoptera exigua: molecular cloning and expression patterns

Chitin synthase (CHS) is an important enzymatic component required for chitin formation in the cuticles and cuticular linings of other tissues. In the present study, a new CHS gene was characterized from the beet army worm Spodoptera exigua (Hübner) (Se). Homologous alignment and phylogenetic analysis of S. exigua CHS (SeCHS) with other related proteins suggest that SeCHS belongs to the class A CHS family (SeCHSA). Northern blot analysis revealed that SeCHSA is transcribed preferentially in the cuticle and tracheae. Further investigation indicated that SeCHSA mRNA is highly expressed in the early and late stages of each larval instar, and consistently expressed in high level during the pupal stage. Using antibody specific for CHS, SeCHS was further localized in the underlying epidermal cells of the integument and tracheal cells, but not in the fat body or Malpighian tubules. These data suggest that SeCHS plays an important role in cuticle formation and development of S. exigua.