VHDL, a larval storage protein from the corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea, is a member of the vitellogenin gene family
Back to previous page
| Authors: | Sum, H; Haunerland, NH |
| Year: | 2007 |
| Journal: | Insect Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 37: 1086-1093 Article Link (DOI) |
| Title: | VHDL, a larval storage protein from the corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea, is a member of the vitellogenin gene family |
| Abstract: | The hemolymph of last instar larvae of the corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea contains a blue very high-density lipoprotein (VHDL) that is selectively taken up into fat body prior to pupation. Its amino-terminal sequence was determined by Edman degradation, and used to design a degenerate primer for PCR amplification. With 5' and 3' RACE techniques, the entire cDNA coding for VHDL was amplified and sequenced. Conceptual translation reveals a 173 kDa protein that contains a 15 amino acid signal sequence immediately before the experimentally determined N-terminus of the mature protein. The protein contains a typical lipoprotein N-terminal domain, and shows high sequence similarity to vitellogenins from Lepidoptera and other insect species. VHDL mRNA was not detectable in adult H. zea, and antibodies raised against VHDL did not react with adult hemolymph or yolk proteins. Therefore VHDL, although a member of the vitellogenin gene family, seems to be distinct from the vitellogenin expressed in adult females. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. |
Please send suggestions for improving this publication database to
sass-support@sfu.ca.
Departmental members may update their publication list.