Cellulose digestion in Monochamus marmorator Kby. (coleoptera: Cerambycidae): role of acquired fungal enzymes
Larvae of the balsam fir sawyer, Monochamus marmorator Kby. (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae), contain midgut digestive enzymes active against hemicellulose and cellulose. Cellulases from larvae fed on balsam fir wood infected with the fungus, Trichoderma harzianum Rifai (Deuteromycetes, Moniliales, Moniliaceae), were found to be identical to those of the cellulase complex produced by this fungus when compared using chromatography, electrophoresis, and isofocusing. When larvae are maintained on a fungusfree diet, their midgut fluids lack cellulolytic activity, and they are unable to digest cellulose. Cellulolytic capacity can be restored by feeding the larvae wood permeated by fungi. We conclude that the enzymes which enable M. marmorator larvae to digest cellulose are not produced by the larvae. Instead, the larvae acquire the capacity to digest cellulose by ingesting active fungal cellulases while feeding in fungus-infected wood.
- Research Organization:
- Univ of Michigan, Am Arbor, MI
- OSTI ID:
- 7058239
- Journal Information:
- J. Chem. Ecol.; (United States), Vol. 12:5
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
CELLULASE
CELLULOLYTIC ACTIVITY
CELLULOSE
DIGESTION
FUNGI
HEMICELLULOSE
LARVAE
DIET
RADIOCHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CARBON 14
CHROMATOGRAPHY
ELECTROPHORESIS
INGESTION
LABELLED COMPOUNDS
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
CARBOHYDRATES
CARBON ISOTOPES
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
ENZYME ACTIVITY
ENZYMES
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
GLYCOSYL HYDROLASES
HYDROLASES
INTAKE
ISOTOPES
LIGHT NUCLEI
NUCLEI
O-GLYCOSYL HYDROLASES
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PLANTS
POLYSACCHARIDES
QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
RADIOISOTOPES
SACCHARIDES
SEPARATION PROCESSES
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
550501* - Metabolism- Tracer Techniques