IDENTIFICATION OF THE MAJOR LIPOPROTEINS IN CRAYFISH HEMOLYMPH AS PROTEINS INVOLVED IN IMMUNE RECOGNITION AND CLOTTING

Lipid-containing hemolymph proteins from males of the crayfish Pacifas tacus leniusculus were isolated by density gradient ultracentrifugatio n. Two major lipoproteins, one high density lipoprotein (HDL) and one very high density lipoprotein (VHDL), were characterized. The HDL and the VHDL were found to be identical to two proteins previously studied for their roles in immune recognition and hemolymph clotting, namely the beta-1,3-glucan binding protein and the clotting protein. These re sults imply that crayfish lipoproteins have dual functions, and that t hey are involved in immunity, hemolymph clotting, and lipid transport in these animals. Also, the oxygen-transporting protein hemocyanin was found to have a small lipid content. (C) 1995 Academic Press, Inc.