Activation of pro-phenoloxidase by bacterial cell walls or β-1,3-glucans in plasma of the silkworm, Bombyx mori

摘要: Abstract Silkworm hemolymph plasma contains pro-phenoloxidase ∗ and the activating system for pro-enzyme. The latter was triggered by elicitors such as Gramnegative or Gram-positive bacterial cell wall, glucans with β-1,3-glycosidic linkages denatured lipophorin, which is one of silkworm proteins, but not lipopolysaccharide, dextran sulfate, kaolin inulin. Calcium required to activate system. However, putative pro-PO enzyme, activity induced in action elicitors, could absence ion, suggesting that at least two reaction steps are involved activation plasma. enzyme completely inhibited presence p-NPGB, an inhibitor serine protease.