Collaborative Research: Sclerotization Mechanisms that Control Physical Properties of Insect Cuticle

合作研究：控制昆虫角质层物理性质的硬化机制

• 批准号: 0726425
• 负责人: Michael Kanost
• 金额: $ 65.4万
• 依托单位: Kansas State University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2007
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2007-08-01 至 2012-07-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0726425&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Collaborative; Research; Sclerotization; Mechanisms; Control

The insect exoskeleton is primarily composed of two structural polymers, protein and the polysaccharide chitin. At each stage of development an insect must produce an exoskeleton with the proper combination of mechanical properties (strength, hardness, flexibility) that affords structural support, protection and mobility. This is accomplished in part by chemical modifications of the structural polymers in a process known as tanning or sclerotization. This interdisciplinary project will make use of genetics, genomics, proteomics, biochemistry, molecular biology, and materials science to investigate the sclerotization process in the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum. The collaborative research team will test the hypothesis that differences in physical properties of cuticle from distinct regions of an exoskeleton are promoted by the occurrence of different sets of proteins and cross-linking agents expressed by the underlying epidermis, which become organized into different nanostructures. This hypothesis will be tested in part by the use of RNA interference to selectively suppress expression of genes of structural proteins and enzymes postulated to be involved in sclerotization. Resulting phenotypes will be evaluated qualitatively by insect viability and optical and scanning electron microscopy and quantitatively by dynamic mechanical analysis and atomic force microscopy. Broader impacts resulting from the research will include education and training for undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral students. Specific efforts at broadening opportunities for participation in science will include involvement of undergraduate students from Haskell Indian Nations University in the research at KU and outreach to middle school and high school girls through programs of the Women in Engineering and Science Program at KSU. The results from this project will lead to a better fundamental understanding of insect cuticle sclerotization, a plausible target for design of novel biorational methods for selective control of insect pests and a template for design of novel nanostructured materials

昆虫外骨骼主要由两种结构聚合物组成：蛋白质和多糖几丁质。在发育的每个阶段，昆虫都必须产生具有适当的机械性能（强度、硬度、灵活性）组合的外骨骼，以提供结构支撑、保护和移动性。这部分是通过在称为鞣制或硬化的过程中对结构聚合物进行化学修饰来实现的。这个跨学科项目将利用遗传学、基因组学、蛋白质组学、生物化学、分子生物学和材料科学来研究赤拟谷盗的硬化过程。合作研究小组将测试以下假设：外骨骼不同区域的角质层物理特性的差异是由于底层表皮表达的不同组蛋白质和交联剂的出现而促进的，这些蛋白质和交联剂被组织成不同的纳米结构。这一假设将通过使用 RNA 干扰选择性抑制被认为参与硬化的结构蛋白和酶的基因表达而得到部分检验。 由此产生的表型将通过昆虫活力、光学和扫描电子显微镜进行定性评估，并通过动态机械分析和原子力显微镜进行定量评估。该研究产生的更广泛影响将包括本科生、研究生和博士后的教育和培训。扩大参与科学机会的具体努力将包括让哈斯克尔印第安民族大学的本科生参与堪萨斯大学的研究，并通过堪萨斯州立大学的女性工程和科学项目向初中和高中女生进行推广。该项目的结果将有助于更好地了解昆虫角质层硬化，这是设计选择性控制害虫的新型生物合理方法的合理目标，也是设计新型纳米结构材料的模板