| First Author | Pérez Martín M | Year | 2010 |
| Journal | J Insect Physiol | Volume | 56 |
| Pages | 8-13 | PubMed ID | 19715698 |
| Abstract Text | This report shows the biochemical characterization and life cycle-dependent expression of Drosophila melanogaster N-beta-alanyldopamine synthase (NBAD-synthase or Ebony protein). This enzyme not only catalyzes the synthesis of NBAD, the main sclerotization and pigmentation precursor of insect brown cuticles, but also plays a role in brain neurotransmitter metabolism. In addition to the epidermis expression our immunodetection experiments show the novel localization of NBAD-synthase in different regions of the adult brain, in the foregut of pharate adult and, surprisingly, in the epidermis of the trachea during embryogenesis. These results demonstrate that NBAD-synthase is a versatile enzyme involved in different, previously unknown, time- and tissue-dependent processes. | Doi | 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2009.08.018 |
| Issue | 1 | Month | Jan |
