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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #252412
Title: Proteases as Insecticidal Agents

Author
item Harrison, Robert - Bob
item BONNING, B.C. - Iowa State University

Submitted to: Toxins
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 4/30/2010
Publication Date: 5/5/2010
Citation: Harrison, R.L., Bonning, B. 2010. Proteases as Insecticidal Agents. Toxins. 2:935-953.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Recently, proteases from a variety of sources (viruses, bacteria, fungi, plants, and insects) have been shown to have toxicity towards insects. Some of these insecticidal proteases evolved as venom components, herbivore resistance factors, or microbial pathogenicity factors, while other proteases play roles in insect development or digestion, but exert an insecticidal effect when over-expressed from genetically engineered plants or microbial pathogens. Many of these proteases are cysteine proteases, though insect-toxic metalloproteases and serine proteases have also been examined. The sites of toxic activity for them range from the insect midgut to the hemocoel (body cavity) to the cuticle. This review discusses these insecticidal proteases and their evaluation and use as potential pesticides.