Aquatic silk proteins in Chironomus: A review
Silk proteins secreted by salivary glands in the dipteran insect, Chironomus play a significant role as proteinaceous adhesives for construction of underwater housing nests by larvae. To date, only three Chironomus species, C. tentans Fabricius, C. pallidivittatus Malloch and C. riparius Meigen have...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
PAGEPress Publications
2018-07-01
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| Series: | Journal of Limnology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.jlimnol.it/index.php/jlimnol/article/view/1797 |
| _version_ | 1818808293963857920 |
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| author | Leena J. Thorat Bimalendu B. Nath |
| author_facet | Leena J. Thorat Bimalendu B. Nath |
| author_sort | Leena J. Thorat |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Silk proteins secreted by salivary glands in the dipteran insect, Chironomus play a significant role as proteinaceous adhesives for construction of underwater housing nests by larvae. To date, only three Chironomus species, C. tentans Fabricius, C. pallidivittatus Malloch and C. riparius Meigen have been explored for characterization of their aquatic silk protein. Genes coding for silk proteins are located on specific chromosomal ‘puffs’ called Balbiani rings as well as non-Balbiani ring regions. Expression of these genes is closely regulated by developmental and hormonal alterations and environmental factors. Furthermore, pilot studies have postulated that silk proteins probably occur in diverse size classes grouped into large (~1000 kDa), intermediate (100-200 kDa) and small (≤100 kDa). Barring few preliminary reports that date back to the 1990s, the physical and bioproperties of silk from chironomid midges remain largely unknown, leading to paucity of updated information. This review was therefore aimed to compile existing literature database and to highlight the wide possibilities for commercialization of midge larval silk as a novel biopolymer. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-18T19:39:16Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-23202af627e84f5d87cfdabf6817af04 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1129-5767 1723-8633 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-18T19:39:16Z |
| publishDate | 2018-07-01 |
| publisher | PAGEPress Publications |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Limnology |
| spelling | doaj.art-23202af627e84f5d87cfdabf6817af042022-12-21T20:55:29ZengPAGEPress PublicationsJournal of Limnology1129-57671723-86332018-07-0110.4081/jlimnol.2018.1797Aquatic silk proteins in Chironomus: A reviewLeena J. Thorat0Bimalendu B. Nath1Savitribai Phule Pune University, Department of ZoologySavitribai Phule Pune University, Department of ZoologySilk proteins secreted by salivary glands in the dipteran insect, Chironomus play a significant role as proteinaceous adhesives for construction of underwater housing nests by larvae. To date, only three Chironomus species, C. tentans Fabricius, C. pallidivittatus Malloch and C. riparius Meigen have been explored for characterization of their aquatic silk protein. Genes coding for silk proteins are located on specific chromosomal ‘puffs’ called Balbiani rings as well as non-Balbiani ring regions. Expression of these genes is closely regulated by developmental and hormonal alterations and environmental factors. Furthermore, pilot studies have postulated that silk proteins probably occur in diverse size classes grouped into large (~1000 kDa), intermediate (100-200 kDa) and small (≤100 kDa). Barring few preliminary reports that date back to the 1990s, the physical and bioproperties of silk from chironomid midges remain largely unknown, leading to paucity of updated information. This review was therefore aimed to compile existing literature database and to highlight the wide possibilities for commercialization of midge larval silk as a novel biopolymer.https://www.jlimnol.it/index.php/jlimnol/article/view/1797Chironomusmidgeaquatic silk proteinsalivary glandsBalbiani ringbiological adhesive |
| spellingShingle | Leena J. Thorat Bimalendu B. Nath Aquatic silk proteins in Chironomus: A review Journal of Limnology Chironomus midge aquatic silk protein salivary glands Balbiani ring biological adhesive |
| title | Aquatic silk proteins in Chironomus: A review |
| title_full | Aquatic silk proteins in Chironomus: A review |
| title_fullStr | Aquatic silk proteins in Chironomus: A review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Aquatic silk proteins in Chironomus: A review |
| title_short | Aquatic silk proteins in Chironomus: A review |
| title_sort | aquatic silk proteins in chironomus a review |
| topic | Chironomus midge aquatic silk protein salivary glands Balbiani ring biological adhesive |
| url | https://www.jlimnol.it/index.php/jlimnol/article/view/1797 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT leenajthorat aquaticsilkproteinsinchironomusareview AT bimalendubnath aquaticsilkproteinsinchironomusareview |