Local expression and distribution of a storage protein in the ovary of Hyphantria cunea

• Published in: Archives of insect biochemistry and physiology 2001-11, Vol.48 (3), p.111-120
• Main Authors: Cheon, Hyang-Mi, Kim, Hong-Ja, Chung, Duck-Hwa, Kim, Myeong-Ok, Park, Joong-Suk, Yun, Chi-Young, Seo, Sook-Jae
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Arctiidae; Fat Body - metabolism; Female; Gene Expression; Hyphantria cunea; Immunohistochemistry - methods; In Situ Hybridization - methods; Insect Proteins - genetics; Insect Proteins - metabolism; local expression; methionine; Moths - metabolism; ovary; Ovary - metabolism; RNA, Messenger - metabolism; storage protein; storage proteins; Tissue Distribution
• ISSN: 0739-4462; 1520-6327
• DOI: 10.1002/arch.1063

Storage protein‐1 (HcSP‐1) is a major storage protein found in the hemolymph and fat body of Hyphantria cunea. HcSP‐1 has a high methionine (6.0%) and low aromatic amino acid content (8.5%) (Cheon et al., 1998). In this study, the accumulation and expression of HcSP‐1 in ovary was investigated using biochemical and immunocytochemical methods. HcSP‐1 was detected in the ovaries in 6‐day‐old pupae and accumulated toward the end of pupal life, when HcSP‐1 transcripts were detectable by Northern blot analysis and RT‐PCR. In situ hybridization showed that the HcSP‐1 mRNA was located in the nurse cells and follicular epithelial cells, but not in the oocyte. Though most of the HcSP‐1 that is incorporated in the yolk bodies of the oocyte is probably sequestered from the surrounding hemolymph, HcSP‐1 is an important yolk protein contributing to early yolk body formation before the development of patency by the follicular epithelium. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 48:111–120, 2001. © 2001 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.