Michael R. Kanost

Insect hemolymph proteins: biochemistry and molecular biology. Structure and function of serine proteinases, proteinase inhibitors, and antibacterial response proteins from insect hemolymph.

Professor of Biochemistry;

B.S. 1979, Colorado State University;

Ph.D. 1983, Purdue University.

My laboratory is investigating proteins present in the hemolymph (blood) of insects, with special interest in the proteins' functions in the insect immune system. We are studying plasma proteins, including prophenoloxidase, serine proteases, protease inhibitors from the serpin superfamily, and lectins that bind to microbial polysaccharides. We also study proteins present in hemocytes, using monoclonal antibodies and biochemical and molecular biological approaches. The long range goal is to understand the biochemical and cellular processes by which insect immune systems recognize and respond to pathogens and parasites.
Kanost Group Page
Clip-domain protease information page

Selected recent publications:

Characterization and functional analysis of twelve naturally occurring reactive site variants of serpin-1 from Manduca sexta. Jiang, H. and Kanost, M.R. J. Biol. Chem. 272:1082-1087 (1997).

Biological Mediators of Insect Immunity . Gillespie, J.P., Kanost, M.R., and Trenczek, T. Ann. Rev. Entomol. 42: 611-643 (1997).

Subunit composition of pro-phenol oxidase from Manduca sexta: molecular cloning of subunit proPO-p1. Jiang, H., Wang, Y., Ma, C., and Kanost, M.R. Insect Biochem. Molec. Biol. 27: 835-850 (1997).

Pro-phenol oxidase activating proteinase from an insect, Manduca sexta: a bacteria-inducible protein similar to Drosophila easter. Jiang, H., Wang, Y. and Kanost, M.R. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 95: 12220-12225 (1998).

The structure of active serpin 1K from Manduca sexta. Li, J., Wang, Z., Canagarajah., B., Jiang, H., Kanost, M.R., and Goldsmith, E.J. Structure Fold Des. 7:103-109 (1999).

An inducible C-type lectin from an insect, Manduca sexta, stimulates activation of plasma prophenol oxidase . Yu, X.-Q., Gan, H., and Kanost, M.R. Insect Biochem. Molec. Biol. 29: 585-597 (1999).

Biological activity of Manduca sexta paralytic and plasmatocyte spreading peptide and primary structure of its hemolymph precursor . Wang, Y., Jiang, H. Kanost, M.R. Insect Biochem. Molec. Biol. 29: 1075-1086 (1999).

Structure of a paralytic peptide from an insect, Manduca sexta. Yu, X.-Q., Prakash, O., and Kanost, M.R. J. Peptide Res. 54: 256-261 (1999).

Developmental expression of Manduca sexta hemolin. Yu, X.-Q. and Kanost, M.R. Arch. Insect. Biochem. Physiol. 42: 198-212 (1999).

A ,1-3-glucan-recognition protein from an insect, Manduca sexta, agglutinates microorganisms and activates the phenoloxidase cascade. Ma, C. and Kanost, M.R. J. Biol. Chem. 275: 7505-7514 (2000).

The clip-domain family of serine proteinases in arthropods. Jiang, H. and Kanost, M.R. Insect Biochem. Molec. Biol. 30: 95-105(2000).

Immulectin-2, a lipopolysaccharide-specific lectin from an insect, Manduca sexta, is induced in response to Gram-negative bacteria. Yu, X.-Q. And Kanost, M.R. J. Biol. Chem. 275: 37373-37381(2000).

Monoclonal antibody MS13 identifies a plasmatocyte membrane protein and inhibits encapsulation and spreading reactions of Manduca sexta hemocytes. Wiegand, C., Levin, D., Gillespie, J.P., Willott, W., Kanost, M.R., and Trenczek, T. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 45: 95-108 (2000).



Complete publication list


 revised 6/19/01