Progress in the study of insect cuticle development and prospects for future research
Author of the article:LIU Xiao-Jian；LIU Wei-Min；ZHAO Xiao-Ming；ZHANG Jian-Zhen；MA En-Bo
Author's Workplace：Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China；Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China；Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China；Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China；Institute of Applied Biology, Shanxi University, Taiyuan 030006, China
Key Words：cuticle; structure and composition; lipid metabolism; chitin metabolism; cuticular proteins
Abstract：The integument of insects performs the same function as skin and bone in vertebrates. Because the rigid cuticle restricts growth, periodic molting is necessary during growth and development. Cuticle is secreted by epidermal cells, and consists of an outer envelope, an epicuticle, exocuticle, endocuticle and the inner epidermis. The procuticle is subdivided into an upper exocuticle and a lower endocuticle. Lipids are mainly found in the epicuticle whereas the procuticle is composed of chitin and proteins. The above components are secreted in turn and interact with each other, eventually forming the orderly arrangement of the cuticular structure. In recent years, rapid advances in omics and molecular biology, including genomics, proteomics and RNAi, has greatly facilitated research on insect cuticle development. This paper reviews progress in research on cuticle structure and composition, lipid metabolism, chitin metabolism and cuticle proteins with the goal of furthering the understanding of insect cuticle development and providing a theoretical basis for pest control.