Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Structural cuticular proteins in termite queens.

C Bordereau1, S O Andersen

  • 1E.R.A. C.N.R.S. 231, Laboratoire de Zoologie, Faculté des Sciences, Dijon, France.

Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology. B, Comparative Biochemistry
|January 1, 1978
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

White-gutted soldiers: simplification of the digestive tube for a non-particulate diet in higher Old World termites (Isoptera: Termitidae).

Insectes sociaux·2017
Same author

Recent trends in global emissions of hydrochlorofluorocarbons and hydrofluorocarbons: reflecting on the 2007 adjustments to the Montreal Protocol.

The journal of physical chemistry. A·2014
Same author

(3Z,6Z,8E)-3,6,8-Dodecatrien-1-ol: Sex pheromone in a higher fungus-growing termite,Pseudacanthotermes spiniger (Isoptera, macrotermitinae).

Journal of chemical ecology·2013
Same author

The Military's Role in Protection of the Ozone Layer.

Environmental science & technology·2012
Same author

Synthesis of syn-4,6-dimethyldodecanal, the male sex pheromone and trail-following pheromone of two species of the termite Zootermopsis.

Natural product research·2011
Same author

Characterization and cDNA cloning of three major proteins from pharate pupal cuticle of Manduca sexta.

Insect biochemistry and molecular biology·2003
Same journal

RETINOID METABOLISM AND CONVERSION OF RETINOL TO DEHYDRORETINOL IN THE CRAYFISH (<i>PROCAMBARUS CLARKII</i>) RETINA.

Comparative biochemistry and physiology. B, Comparative biochemistry·2015
Same journal

Distribution of taurine and other free amino acids in the visual pathway of the crayfish procambarus clarkii.

Comparative biochemistry and physiology. B, Comparative biochemistry·2013
Same journal

Comparative study of free and membrane-bound acidic beta-D-glucosidase from the hepatopancreas of the shrimp Penaeus japonicus (Crustacea: decapoda).

Comparative biochemistry and physiology. B, Comparative biochemistry·2010
Same journal

Purification and characterization of an alpha-glucosidase from the hepatopancreas of the shrimp Penaeus japonicus (Crustacea: decapoda).

Comparative biochemistry and physiology. B, Comparative biochemistry·2010
Same journal

A neutral beta-galactosidase from the hepatopancreas of the shrimp Penaeus monodon (Crustacea: Decapoda): dimeric and sialyated.

Comparative biochemistry and physiology. B, Comparative biochemistry·2010
Same journal

Purification and properties of a beta-mannosidase from shrimp (Penaeus japonicus) hepatopancreas.

Comparative biochemistry and physiology. B, Comparative biochemistry·2010
See all related articles

Termite queens’ abdominal cuticle composition changes during physogastry. Researchers analyzed protein, chitin, and amino acids in Cubitermes fungifaber and Macrotermes bellicosus, revealing insights into cuticle development.

Area of Science:

  • Insect physiology
  • Developmental biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Physogastry, a reproductive strategy in termite queens, involves significant abdominal enlargement.
  • Understanding the cuticular changes during physogastry is crucial for insect development studies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the biochemical and structural changes in the abdominal cuticle of termite queens during physogastry.
  • To compare cuticle composition between Cubitermes fungifaber and Macrotermes bellicosus queens.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of protein and chitin content.
  • Electrophoretic separation of cuticle proteins to determine molecular weights.
  • Amino acid composition analysis of specific cuticle regions in Macrotermes bellicosus.

Related Experiment Videos

Main Results:

  • Quantified relative protein and chitin content and easily extractable protein percentages.
  • Identified and characterized multiple proteins via electrophoresis, including their molecular weights.
  • Determined amino acid profiles for intertergal, pleural membranes, and neosclerites in Macrotermes bellicosus, classifying them as soft cuticles.

Conclusions:

  • The abdominal cuticle of termite queens undergoes significant compositional changes during physogastry.
  • Both intertergal/pleural membranes and neosclerites are characterized as soft cuticles, despite variations in rigidity, indicating developmental plasticity.