A NEW FEMALE-SPECIFIC FAT-BODY PROTEIN OF ANTHERAEA-PERNYI - PURIFICATION, IMMUNOLOGICAL PROPERTIES, DEVELOPMENTAL PROFILE AND SYNTHESIS

A new female-specific protein has been discovered to be a major compon ent of fat body proteins of the last larval instar of Antheraea pernyi and Antheraea yamamai. The new female-specific protein was purified t o homogeneity by gel-permeation chromatograpies, DE-52 cellulose colum n chromatography and hydroxyapatite column chromatography. The molecul ar weight of the protein was estimated to be 24,000 by SDS-PAGE and 43 ,000 by gel-permeation chromatography, suggesting that the protein is a homodimer protein. The protein was temporarily named ''24 kDa peptid e'' (24K). Developmental changes in 24K titer were followed from the f inal larval ecdysis to adult emergence by immunoblotting with a specif ic antiserum against 24K. 24K appeared in the fat bodies at day 9 fift h instar and remained at an almost constant level up to adult emergenc e. Immunoblot analysis using antisera against Bm 30K proteins and BmLS P showed that the immunological properties of 24K were different from those of these proteins. In vitro culture to label fat body proteins w ith [S-35]-methionine showed that the synthesis of 24K occurred in onl y female fat bodies. The function of 24K remains unknown.