We have identified four C. elegans genomic sequences which we believe encode enzymes involved in crosslinking nematode cuticles and eggshells. The C. elegans tyrosinase sequences were used to design degenerate primers which have allowed the isolation of tyrosinase homologues from B. malayi and M. javanica.
Sequence alignment shows that nematode tyrosinases form a distinct gene family.
Dox-A2 was identified as a locus controlling diphenol oxidase activity. However, C30C11.2 seems to be expressed constitutively in C. elegans.