Michael Kanost

University Distinguished Professor and Department Head

Insect biochemistry and molecular biology. Structure and function of hemolymph serine proteinases, proteinase inhibitors, and antibacterial response proteins from insects. Biochemistry of insect cuticle sclerotization, function of insect laccases.

B.S. 1979, Colorado State University

Ph.D. 1983, Purdue University

Phone: 785-532-6964

Fax:     785-532-7278

Email:  kanost@ksu.edu

Office:  142 Chalmers

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. We also investigate the biochemistry of cuticle protein cross linking, which is responsible for the unique physical properties of insect exoskeletons.

Selected Publications

Gorman, M.J., Wang, Y., Jiang, H., and Kanost, M.R. (2007) Manduca sexta hemolymph proteinase 21 activates prophenoloxidase activating proteinase 3 in an insect innate immune response proteinase cascade. J. Biol. Chem. 282: 11742-11749.

Gorman, M.J., An, C., and Kanost, M.R. (2007) Hydroxylation of tyrosine by phenoloxidase and tyrosine hydroxylase in Manduca sexta. Insect Biochem. Molec. Biol. 37: 1327-1337.

Gorman, M.J., Dittmer, N.T., Marshall, J.L., and Kanost, M.R. (2008) Characterization of the multicopper oxidase gene family in Anopheles gambaie. Insect Biochem. Mol. Biol. 38: 817-824.

Suwanchaichinda, C. and Kanost, M.R. (2009) The serpin gene family in Anopheles gambaie. Gene 442: 47–54.

Dittmer, N.T., Gorman, M.J., and Kanost, M.R. (2009) Comparisons between an endogenous and recombinant laccase-like multicopper oxidase from the insect Manduca sexta. Insect Biochem. Mol. Biol. 39: 596–606..

Arakane, Y., Lomakine, J., Beeman, R.W., Muthukrishnan, S., Gehrke, S.H., Kanost, M.R. and Kramer, K.J. (2009) Molecular and functional analyses of amino acid decarboxylases involved in cuticle tanning in Tribolium castaneum. J. Biol. Chem. 284: 16584-16594.

An, C., Ishibashi, J., Ragan, E.J., Jiang, H., and Kanost, M.R. (2009) Functions of Manduca sexta hemolymph proteinases HP6 and HP8 in two innate immune pathways. J. Biol. Chem. 284: 19716-19726

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