University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Molecular analysis of thecDNA and gene for a major protein from flexible cuticles of the giant silkmoth Hyalophora cecropia

Binger, Lynetta C.

This item is only available for download by members of the University of Illinois community. Students, faculty, and staff at the U of I may log in with your NetID and password to view the item. If you are trying to access an Illinois-restricted dissertation or thesis, you can request a copy through your library's Inter-Library Loan office or purchase a copy directly from ProQuest.

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/22418

Description

Title
Molecular analysis of thecDNA and gene for a major protein from flexible cuticles of the giant silkmoth Hyalophora cecropia
Author(s)
Binger, Lynetta C.
Issue Date
1991
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Willis, Judith H.
Department of Study
Entomology
Discipline
Entomology
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
  • Biology, Entomology
  • Biology, Genetics
  • Biology, Cell
Language
eng
Abstract
HCCP12 is a major protein found in flexible cuticles of all three metamorphic stages of the giant silkmoth Hyalophora cecropia. The distribution of HCCP12 provides an opportunity to study the differential regulation of gene expression since there are persistent populations of epidermal cells that secrete the cuticular proteins during metamorphosis. An oligonucleotide probe, designed from N-terminal protein sequence, was used to screen a cDNA library made using mRNA of larval abdominal epidermal cells. A cDNA clone (cDNA1) was shown to encode HCCP12 by sequencing and Northern analysis. cDNA1 was used to screen a H. cecropia genomic library, and the clone II-5 was shown to contain the gene for HCCP12 by sequencing of the subclone pT7-2.8HE. This subclone contained the only fragment of II-5 that hybridized to cDNA1, indicating that HCCP12 is the only related cuticular protein gene in the 17 Kb genomic region. A set of ten GTCT repeats was found in the 5$\sp\prime$ sequence flanking the coding region for HCCP12. Searches of the GenBank database revealed that a number of other sequences contain similar repeat regions, but none of the repeats have been shown to have any functional significance. Sequence analysis by RACE (rapid amplification of cDNA ends) of the 5$\sp\prime$ ends of mRNAs for HCCP12 isolated from larval, pupal, and pharate adult epidermal cells was used to determine the transcriptional start site, and showed that cDNA 1 is ten bases short of full length. Furthermore, it was concluded that a single gene and a single promoter are used in the three metamorphic stages since the 5$\sp\prime$ ends of the mRNAs from the various tissues were identical. Thus, metamorphosis does not require stage-specific gene sets or promoters.
Type of Resource
text
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/22418
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 1991 Binger, Lynetta C.

Owning Collections

Graduate Dissertations and Theses at Illinois PRIMARY
Graduate Theses and Dissertations at Illinois
Dissertations and Theses - Entomology