Proteomic analysis of the Drosophila larval hemolymph clot

J Biol Chem. 2004 Dec 10;279(50):52033-41. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M408220200. Epub 2004 Oct 4.

Abstract

Components of the insect clot, an extremely rapid forming and critical part of insect immunity, are just beginning to be identified (1). Here we present a proteomic comparison of larval hemolymph before and after clotting to learn more about this process. This approach was supplemented by the identification of substrates for the enzyme transglutaminase, which plays a role in both vertebrate blood clotting (as factor XIIIa) and hemolymph coagulation in arthropods. Hemolymph proteins present in lower amounts after clotting include CG8502 (a protein with a mucin-type domain and a domain with similarity to cuticular components), CG11313 (a protein with similarity to prophenoloxidase-activating proteases), and two phenoloxidases, lipophorin, a secreted gelsolin, and CG15825, which had previously been isolated from clots (2). Proteins whose levels increase after clotting include a ferritin-subunit and two members of the immunoglobulin family with a high similarity to the small immunoglobulin-like molecules involved in mammalian innate immunity. Our results correlate with findings from another study of coagulation (2) that involved a different experimental approach. Proteomics allows the isolation of novel candidate clotting factors, leading to a more complete picture of clotting. In addition, our two-dimensional protein map of cell-free Drosophila hemolymph includes many additional proteins that were not found in studies performed on whole hemolymph.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Blood Proteins / genetics
  • Blood Proteins / immunology
  • Blood Proteins / isolation & purification
  • Blood Proteins / physiology
  • Drosophila / genetics
  • Drosophila / immunology
  • Drosophila / physiology*
  • Drosophila Proteins / genetics
  • Drosophila Proteins / immunology
  • Drosophila Proteins / isolation & purification
  • Drosophila Proteins / physiology
  • Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional
  • Genes, Insect
  • Hemolymph / immunology
  • Hemolymph / physiology*
  • Larva / physiology
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Proteomics
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid
  • Substrate Specificity
  • Transglutaminases / metabolism

Substances

  • Blood Proteins
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • fon protein, Drosophila
  • Transglutaminases