Abstract
The proteases of the larvae of the webbing clothes moth, Tineola bisselliella, were investigated because of this organism's phylogenetic rank as a member of the lower invertebrates, its unique position as one of the relatively few organisms that can digest keratin and its importance as a serious fabric pest. Both the number and nature of different proteolytic enzymes present were investigated and the various activities partially fractionated by ammonium sulphate precipitation and chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and Sephadex 0200 columns. A complex mixture of peptidases and proteinases has been found in extracts of whole larvae and has been shown to be associated with the larval digestive tract.

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