DNA encoding an arthropod chitin synthase

Abstract

The present invention relates to nucleic acids comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding at least a portion of an enzyme which catalyzes the synthesis of chitin in arthropods, inhibitors directed to said enzyme, and a method for developing said inhibitors.

1 . A nucleic acid which comprises a nucleotide sequence encoding at least a portion of an enzyme which catalyzes the synthesis of chitin in arthropods.  
     
     
         2 . The nucleic acid according to  claim 1 , wherein the nucleotide sequence contains the DNA sequence as shown in SEQ ID NOs. 1, 3 or 5.  
     
     
         3 . A recombinant molecule comprising a nucleic acid according to  claim 1  or  2 .  
     
     
         4 . The recombinant molecule according to  claim 3 , wherein said nucleic acid sequence is functionally linked to an expression-control sequence.  
     
     
         5 . A host containing the nucleic acid according to  claim 1  or  2 , or the recombinant molecule according to  claim 3  or  4 .  
     
     
         6 . A polypeptide comprising at least a portion of an enzyme which catalyzes the synthesis of chitin in arthropods.  
     
     
         7 . The polypeptide according to  claim 6 , wherein the portion contains the amino acid sequence as shown in SEQ ID NOs. 2, 4 or 6.  
     
     
         8 . An inhibitor directed to at least the portion as defined in claims  6  or  7 .  
     
     
         9 . The inhibitor according to  claim 8 , which is directed to chitin synthase of arthropods.  
     
     
         10 . A method for developing chitin synthetase inhibitors, comprising the steps of 
 (a) producing a polypeptide as defined in claims  6  or  7  using recombinant DNA technology, and    (b) characterizing specific chitin synthese inhibitors in enzyme assays.