关键词: 海藻糖酶, 基因克隆, 几丁质合成, 能量代谢, 海藻糖酶抑制剂

Abstract: Trehalase (Treh) plays key roles in energy metabolism and is the first enzyme in chitin biosynthesis pathway of insect. Expression profile and enzyme activity of Treh are related to many important physiological processes of insects, including development, molting, metamorphosis and reproduction. To date, two kinds of Treh genes have been successfully cloned in different insect species, and it has been found that the gene family of insect Trehs is composed of multiple members. Most proteins encoded by Treh genes contain signal peptides in their leader regions, and partial proteins possess 1 or 2 transmembrane domains, based on which, Trehs are divided into two types, named the soluble (Treh1) and membrane-bound (Treh2) Trehs, respectively. In addition, there are two specific motifs (“PGGRFREFYYWDSY” and “QWDYPNAWPP”) in Treh2. The core function of Treh is to degrade the extra and intercellular trehalose into glucose in order to provide energy for insects, by participating in insect chitin biosynthesis to regulate chitin synthesis in the cuticle and midgut or cooperating with hormone to control the concentrations of trehalose and glucose dynamically in insects, so in this way insect cells would be effectively protected in adverse environment and their capacities of stress resistance be significantly improved. In view of the important roles it plays in energy metabolism and chitin biosynthesis, trehalase has been a potential novel target for insect pest control. The functional research of trehalase and development of its inhibitors may contribute to the biological control of insect pests in the future.

Key words: Trehalase, gene cloning, chitin synthesis, energy metabolism, trehalase inhibitors