A cellulase gene of termite origin
Article Abstract:
Animals cannot produce their own cellulase and must rely on gut microorganisms to hydrolyse cellulose. There is evidence that termites and other wood-feeding insects produce endogenous cellulase components. The first insect cellulase-encoding gene, RsEg, has been identified. It encodes an endo-beta-1,4-glucanase in the termite Reticulitermes speratus. A recombinant phage complementary DNA library from the species was screened, and the entire coding region of RsEG was obtained by rapid amplification of complementary DNA ends.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1998
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A triploblast origin for Myxozoa?
Article Abstract:
It has been possible to identify the presence of Hox class genes that are typical of triploblasts in Myxozoa, formerly a protozoan taxon. Four Hox genes of myxozoan origin were identified from 15 novel homeobox sequences obtained from spores isolated from host tissue. The four myxozoan Hox inferred amino-acid sequences were compared with two Cnox sequences, using the homeodomain of Antennapedia as a reference sequence. This work demonstrates a bilaterian nature for the Myxozoa.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1998
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