Mapping the peptide and protein immune response in the larvae of the fleshfly Sarcophaga bullata

J Pept Sci. 2008 Jun;14(6):670-82. doi: 10.1002/psc.967.

Abstract

We chose the larvae of fleshfly Sarcophaga bullata to map the peptide and protein immune response. The hemolymph of the third-instar larvae of S. bullata was used for isolation. The larvae were injected with bacterial suspension to induce an antimicrobial response. The hemolymph was separated into crude fractions, which were subdivided by RP-HPLC, gel electrophoresis, and free-flow electrophoresis. In several fractions, we determined significant antimicrobial activities against the pathogenic bacteria Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, or Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Among antimicrobially active compounds we identified dipeptide beta-alanyl-L-tyrosine, protein transferrin, and two variants of peptide sapecin. We also partially characterized two novel antimicrobially active polypeptides; odorant-binding protein 99b, and a peptide which remains unidentified.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Diptera / growth & development
  • Diptera / immunology*
  • Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel
  • Insect Proteins / chemistry
  • Insect Proteins / immunology*
  • Larva / immunology*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Molecular Weight
  • Peptide Mapping
  • Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization

Substances

  • Insect Proteins