Isolation and characterization of mosquito ferritin and cloning of a cDNA that encodes one subunit

Ferritin, an iron storage protein, was isolated from larvae and pupae of Aedes aegypti grown in an iron-rich medium. Mosquito ferritin is a high molecular weight protein composed of several different, relatively small, subunits. Subunits of molecular mass 24, 26, and 28 kDa are equally abundant, while that of 30 kDa is present only in small amounts. The N-terminal sequence of the 24 and 26 kDa subunits are identical for the first 30 amino acids, while that of the 28 kDa subunit differs. Studies using antiserum raised against a subunit mixture showed that the ferritin subunits were present in larvae, pupae, and adult females, and were increased in animals exposed to excess iron. The antiserum also was used to screen a cDNA library from unfed adult female mosquitoes. Nine clones were obtained that differed only in a 27 bp insertion in the 3′ end. Rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) was used to obtain the complete protein coding sequence. A putative iron-responsive element (IRE) is present in the 5′-untranslated region. The deduced amino acid sequence shows a typical leader sequence, consistent with the fact that most insect ferritins are secreted, rather than cytoplasmic proteins. The sequence encodes a mature polypeptide of 20,566 molecular weight, smaller than the estimated size of any of the subunits. However, the sequence exactly matches the N-terminal sequences of the 24 and 26 kDa subunits as determined by Edman degradation. Of the known ferritin sequences, that of the mosquito is most similar to that of somatic cells of a snail. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Ferritin acts as a target site for the snowdrop lectin (GNA) in the midgut of the cotton leafworm Spodoptera littoralis

The snowdrop lectin GNA (Galanthus nivalis agglutinin) has been shown to possess insecticidal activity to a range of economically important insect pests. However, the precise mechanism of insecticidal action of GNA against insects remains unknown. In this investigation, we attempted to purify and identify receptor(s) responsible for binding of GNA in the larval midgut of a major lepidopteran pest (the cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis) to better understand its mode of action. Therefore, cytoplasmic as well as membrane proteins from 800 larval midguts were chromatographed on a column with immobilized GNA. Sodium dodecyl sulfate‐polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis of the proteins eluted from the GNA column followed by sequencing of the GNA‐binding proteins and BLAST analyses revealed that the N‐terminal sequences of a 24 kDa polypeptide purified from the cytoplasmic and membrane protein fraction revealed sequence similarity to sequences encoding heavy chain homologs of ferritin from Manduca sexta (76% sequence identity), Calpodes ethlius (80% sequence identity) and Bombyx mori (61% sequence identity). Furthermore, the N‐terminal sequence of a 31 kDa polypeptide from the membrane protein fraction showed sequence similarity to a light chain homolog of ferritin from Manduca sexta (88% sequence identity).     

Cloning and expression of 32 kDa ferritin from Galleria mellonella

We have sequenced a cDNA clone encoding 32-kDa ferritin subunit in the Wax Moth, Galleria mellonella. The 32-kDa ferritin subunit cDNA was obtained from PCR using identical primer designed from highly conserved regions of insect ferritins. RACE PCR was used to obtain the complete protein coding sequence. The 32-kDa ferritin subunit encoded a 232 amino acid polypeptide, containing a 19 leader peptide. The iron-responsive element (IRE) sequence with a predicted stem-loop structure was present in the 5'-untranslated region of the wax moth 32-kDa ferritin subunit mRNA. The 32-kDa sequence alignment had 78 and 69% identity with Manduca sexta and Calpodes ethlius (G), respectively. The G. mellonella ferritin subunits showed minimal identity with each other (19%). The glycosylation site (Asn-X-Ser/Thr) was found in the 32-kDa subunit but not in the 26-kDa subunit. Northern blot analysis showed that the mRNA expression of the 32-kDa ferritin was detected in the fat body and midgut. The fat body expression increased after 6 h and the mRNA in midgut dramatically increased about 3-fold the expression level at 12 h after iron feeding. Western blot revealed that a protein level of the 32-kDa subunit is abundant in midgut after 12 and 24 h iron feeding.     

Cloning and expression of a ferritin subunit for Galleria mellonella

Ferritin was purified from iron-fed Galleria mellonella hemolymph by ultra centrifugation and FPLC (Superose 6). SDS-PAGE revealed three bands of 26, 30, and 32 kDa. The ferritin 26 kDa subunit cDNA was obtained from RT-PCR using primer designed from N-terminal sequence analysis. 5'-RACE was used to obtain the complete protein coding sequence. The sequence encodes a 211 amino acid polypeptide including a 20 amino acid leader peptide. An IRE (iron-responsive element) sequence with a predicted stem-loop structure was present in the 5'-UTR of ferritin mRNA. Sequence alignment has a sequence identity with Calpodes ethlius (S)(74%), Drosophila melanogaster (50%), and Aedes aegypti (39%). Northern blot analysis indicated that there were 1.5- and 1.75-fold increases in the expression of ferritin mRNA after iron-fed fat body and midgut, respectively. Also, we confirmed that the ferritin mRNA is not expressed in adult ovary and testis. Arch.     

Secreted ferritin subunits are of two kinds in insects molecular cloning of cDNAs encoding two major subunits of secreted ferritin from Calpodes ethlius

In insects, holoferritin is easily visible in the vacuolar system of tissues that filter the hemolymph and, at least in Lepidoptera, is abundant in the hemolymph. Sequences reported for insect secreted ferritins from Lepidoptera and Diptera have high sequence diversity. We examined the nature of this diversity for the first time by analyzing sequences of cDNAs encoding two ferritin subunits from one species, Calpodes ethlius (Lepidoptera, Hesperiidae). We found that insect secreted ferritin subunits are of two types with little resemblance to each other. Ferritin was isolated from iron loaded hemolymph of C. ethlius fifth instar larvae by differential centrifugation. The N-terminal amino acid sequences for the nonglycosylated subunit with Mr 24,000 (S) and the largest glycosylated subunit with Mr 31,000 (G) were determined. The N-termini of the two subunits were different and were used to construct degenerate PCR primers. The same cDNA products were amplified from cDNA libraries from the midgut which secretes holoferritin and from the fat body which secretes iron-poor apoferritin. The G subunit most closely resembles the glycosylated ferritin subunit from Manduca sexta and the S subunit resembles the Drosophila small subunit. The S and G subunits from Calpodes were dissimilar and distinct from the cytosolic ferritins of vertebrates and invertebrates. Additional sequences were obtained by 5' and 3' RACE from separate fat body and midgut RACE libraries. cDNAs encoding both subunits had a consensus iron responsive element (IRE) in a conserved cap-distal location of their 5' UTR. An integrin-binding RGD motif found in the G subunit and conserved in Manduca may facilitate iron uptake through a calreticulin (mobilferrin)/integrin pathway. Calpodes and other insect ferritins have conserved cysteine residues to which fatty acids can be linked. Dynamic acylation of ferritin may slow but not prevent its passage out of the ER.     

cDNA cloning and in vitro synthesis of the Dolichos biflorus seed lectin

The Dolichos biflorus seed lectin contains two structurally related subunits. A cDNA library was constructed using RNA isolated from D. biflorus seeds actively synthesizing the seed lectin. The library was expressed in Escherichia coli using a lambda Charon 16 vector, and lectin-specific antiserum was used to isolate a seed lectin cDNA. Hybridization of the D. biflorus seed lectin cDNA to RNA isolated from seeds actively producing both lectin subunits identifies a single-size RNA of 1100 bases. An oligodeoxyribonucleotide probe, constructed from an amino acid sequence common to both lectin subunits, detects the same size RNA. Translation of seed mRNA in vitro and immunoprecipitation of translation products using a lectin-specific antiserum yields a single polypeptide of slightly higher molecular mass than the largest seed lectin subunit. This seed lectin precursor is indistinguishable from a polypeptide synthesized from mRNA hybrid selected by the seed lectin cDNA. These data support the existence of a single polypeptide precursor for both subunit types of the D. biflorus seed lectin and suggest that differences between the subunit types arise by posttranslational processing.     

Functional expression and characterisation of a gut facilitative glucose transporter, NlHT1, from the phloem-feeding insect Nilaparvata lugens (rice brown planthopper)

Phloem-sap feeding Hemipteran insects have access to a sucrose-rich diet but are dependent on sucrose hydrolysis and hexose transport for carbon nutrition. A cDNA library from Nilaparvata lugens (rice brown planthopper) was screened for clones encoding potential transmembrane transporters. A selected cDNA, NlHT1, encodes a 53kDa polypeptide with sequence similarity to facilitative hexose transporters of eukaryotes and prokaryotes, including GLUT1, the human erythrocyte hexose transporter. NlHT1 was expressed as a recombinant protein in the methylotropic yeast Pichia pastoris, and was identified in a membrane fraction isolated from transformed yeast cells. Transport experiments using membrane vesicles containing NlHT1 showed that the protein is a saturable, sodium independent transporter, with a relatively low affinity for glucose (K(m) 3.0mM), which can be inhibited by cytochalasin B. Competition experiments with fructose demonstrate NlHT1 is glucose specific. In situ localisation studies revealed that NlHT1 mRNA is expressed in N. lugens gut tissue, mainly in midgut regions, and that expression is absent in hindgut and Malpighian tubules. NlHT1 is therefore likely to play an important role in glucose transport from the gut, and in carbon nutrition in vivo. This is the first report of a facilitative glucose transporter from a phloem-feeding insect pest.     

Two different H-type subunits from pea seed (Pisum sativum) ferritin that are responsible for fast Fe(II) oxidation

It was established that ferritin from pea seed is composed of 26.5 and 28.0kDa subunits, but the relationship between the two subunits is unclear. The present study by both MALDI-TOF-MS and MS/MS indicated that the 28.0kDa subunit is distinct from the 26.5kDa subunit although they might share high homology in amino acid sequence, a result suggesting that pea seed ferritin is encoded by at least two genes. This result is not consistent with previous proposal that the 28.0kDa subunit is converted into the 26.5kDa subunit upon cleavage of its N-terminal sequence by free radical. Also, present results indicated that pea seed ferritin contains two different kinds of ferroxidase centers located in the 28.0 and 26.5kDa subunits, respectively. This is an exception among all known ferritins. Therefore, it is of special interest to know the role of the two subunits in iron oxidative deposition. Spectrophotometric titration and stopped flow results indicated that 48 ferrous ions can be bound and oxidized by oxygen at the ferroxidase sites, demonstrating that all of the ferroxidase sites are active and involved in fast Fe(II) oxidation. However, unlike H and L subunits in horse spleen ferritin (HoSF), both the 28.0 and 26.5 subunits lack cooperation in iron turnover into the inner cavity of pea seed ferritin.     

A novel insect V-ATPase subunit M9.7 is glycosylated extensively.

Plasma membrane V-ATPase isolated from midgut and Malpighian tubules of the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta, contains a novel prominent 20-kDa polypeptide. Based on N-terminal protein sequencing, we cloned a corresponding cDNA. The deduced hydrophobic protein consisted of 88 amino acids with a molecular mass of only 9.7 kDa. Immunoblots of the recombinant 9.7-kDa polypeptide, using a monoclonal anti- body to the 20-kDa polypeptide, confirmed that the correct cDNA had been cloned. The 20-kDa polypeptide is glycosylated, as deduced from lectin staining. Treatment with N-glycosidase A resulted in the appearance of two additional protein bands of 16 and 10 kDa which both were immunoreactive to the 20-kDa polypeptide-specific monoclonal antibody. Thus, extensive N-glycosylation of the novel Vo subunit M9.7 accounts for half of its molecular mass observed in SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. M9.7 exhibits some similarities to the yeast protein Vma21p which resides in the endoplasmic reticulum and is required for the assembly of the Vo complex. However, as deduced from immunoblots as well as from activities of the V-ATPase and endoplasmic reticulum marker enzymes in different membrane preparations, M9.7 is, in contrast to the yeast polypeptide, a constitutive subunit of the mature plasma membrane V-ATPase of M. sexta.     

Hyphantria cunea ferritin heavy chain homologue: cDNA sequence and mRNA expression

We have sequenced a cDNA clone encoding a 26-kDa ferritin subunit, which was heavy chain homologue (HCH), in fall webworm, Hyphantria cunea. The HCH cDNA was obtained from the screening of a cDNA library using a PCR product. H. cunea ferritin is composed of 221 amino acid residues and their calculated mass is 26,160 Da. The protein contains the conserved motifs for the ferroxidase center typical for heavy chains of vertebrate ferritin. The iron-responsive element sequence with a predicted stem-loop structure is present in the 5'-untranslated region of ferritin HCH mRNA. The sequence alignment of ferritin HCH shows 68.9 and 68.7% identity with Galleria mellonella HCH (26 kDa ferritin) and Manduca sexta HCH, respectively. While G type insect ferritin vertebrate light chain homologue (LCH) is distantly related to H. cunea ferritin HCH (17.2-20.8%), the Northern blot analysis revealed that H. cunea ferritin HCH was ubiquitously expressed in various tissues and all developmental stages. The ferritin expression of midgut is more responsive to iron-fed, compared to fat body in H. cunea.     

Purification, characterization, and molecular cloning of lectin from winter buds of Lysichiton camtschatcensis (L.) Schott

A novel lectin was purified to homogeneity from winter buds of Lysichiton camtschatcensis (L.) Schott of the Araceae family. It was a tetramer composed of two non-covalently associated polypeptides with small subunits (11 kDa) and large subunits (12 kDa). Sequencing of both subunits yielded unique N-terminal sequences. A cDNA encoding the lectin was cloned. The isolated cDNA contained an open reading frame that encoded 267 amino acids. It encoded both subunits, indicating that the lectin is synthesized as a single precursor protein that is post-translationally processed into two different subunits with 45% sequence identity. Each subunit contained a mannose-binding motif known to be conserved in monocot mannose-binding lectins, but its activity was not inhibited by monosaccharides, including methyl α-mannoside. Asialofetuin and yeast invertase were potent inhibitors. Lectin activity was detected in the buds formed during the winter season but not in the expanded leaves.     

Molecular cloning of the lectin and a lectin-related protein from common Solomon's seal (Polygonatum multiflorum)

The most prominent protein ofPolygonatum multiflorum (common Solomon's seal) rhizomes has been identified as a mannose-binding lectin. Analysis of the purified lectin demonstrated that it is a tetramer of four identical subunits of 14 kDa. Molecular cloning further revealed that the lectin from this typical Liliaceae species belongs to the superfamily of monocot mannose-binding proteins. Screening of cDNA libraries constructed with RNA isolated from buds, leaves and flowers ofP. multiflorum also yielded cDNA clones encoding a protein, which contains two tandemly arranged domains with an obvious sequence homology to the mannose-binding lectins. Molecular modelling of thePolygonatum lectin and lectin-related protein indicated that the three-dimensional structure of both proteins strongly resembles that of the snowdrop lectin. In addition, this approach suggested that the presumed carbohydrate-binding sites of the lectin can accommodate a mannose residue whereas most of the carbohydratebinding sites of the lectin-related protein cannot.Abbreviations GNA Galanthus nivalis agglutinin - HCA hydrophobic cluster analysis - LECPMA cDNA clone encoding PMA - PM30 30 kDa protein isolated fromPolygonatum multiforum - PMA Polygonatum multiflorum agglutinin - PMLRP Polygonatum multiflorum lectin-related protein     

cDNA cloning, primary structure, and in vitro biosynthesis of the DB58 lectin from Dolichos biflorus

Previous studies have shown that the Dolichos biflorus plant contains a lectin in its stems and leaves, called DB58, that is closely related to the D. biflorus seed lectin. DB58 is a heterodimer composed of two closely related subunits. Immunoprecipitation of total translation products from D. biflorus stem and leaf mRNA suggests a single polypeptide precursor for both of these subunits. Several identical cDNA clones representing the entire coding region of the DB58 mRNA have been isolated from a D. biflorus stem and leaf cDNA library. The DB58 cDNA represents an mRNA encoding a polypeptide of Mr = 29,545. The predicted polypeptide is equal in length to the larger subunit of DB58 with the addition of a 22-amino acid amino-terminal signal sequence. The sequence of the DB58 lectin exhibits 84% homology to the D. biflorus seed lectin at the amino acid level, suggesting that these lectins are encoded by differentially expressed genes and may have evolved to carry out tissue-specific functions. Comparison of the DB58 sequence to other leguminous seed lectins indicates a high degree of structural conservation.     

Isolation, characterization and molecular cloning of the bark lectins from Maackia amurensis

A detailed study was made of the bark lectins of the legume tree Maackia amurensis using a combination of protein purification and cDNA cloning. The lectins, which are the most abundant bark proteins, are a complex mixture of isoforms composed of two types of subunits of 32 and 37 kDa, respectively. Isolation and characterization of the homotetrameric isoforms indicated that the 32 kDa subunit exhibits a 100-fold stronger haemagglutinating activity than the 37 kDa subunit. Molecular cloning confirmed that the two lectin subunits are encoded by different genes. The 32 kDa subunit is apparently encoded by a single gene, whereas two highly homologous genes encode the 37 kDa subunit. A comparison of the deduced amino acid sequences of the bark lectin cDNAs and the previously described cDNA encoding the seed haemagglutinin demonstrated that they are encoded by different genes. Abbreviations: LECMAHb, cDNA clone encoding Maackia amurensis bark haemagglutinin; LECMALb, cDNA clone encoding Maackia amurensis bark leucoagglutinin; MALb, Maackia amurensis bark leucoagglutinin; MAHb, Maackia amurensis bark haemagglutinin This revised version was published online in November 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Molecular cloning, expression and characterization of cDNAs encoding the ferritin subunits from the beetle, Apriona germari

Insect secreted ferritins are composed of subunits, which resemble heavy and light chains of vertebrate cytosolic ferritins. We describe here the cloning, expression and characterization of cDNAs encoding the ferritin heavy-chain homologue (HCH) and light-chain homologue (LCH) from the mulberry longicorn beetle, Apriona germari (Coleoptera, Cerambycidae). The A. germari ferritin LCH and HCH cDNA sequences were comprised of 672 and 636 bp encoding 224 and 212 amino acid residues, respectively. The A. germari ferritin HCH subunit contained the conserved motifs for the ferroxidase center typical of vertebrate ferritin heavy chains and the iron-responsive element (IRE) sequence with a predicted stem-loop structure was present in the 5′-untranslated region (UTR) of ferritin HCH mRNA. However, the A. germari ferritin LCH subunit had no IRE at its 5′-UTR and ferroxidase center residues. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed the deduced protein sequences of A. germari ferritin HCH and LCH being divided into two types, G type (LCH) and S type (HCH). Southern blot analysis suggested the possible presence of each A. germari ferritin subunit gene as a single copy and Northern blot analysis confirmed a higher expression pattern in midgut than fat body. The cDNAs encoding the A. germari ferritin subunits were expressed as approximately 30 kDa (LCH) and 26 kDa (HCH) polypeptides in baculovirus-infected insect cells. Western blot analysis and iron staining assay confirmed that A. germari ferritin has a native molecular mass of approximately 680 kDa.     

Isolation,characterization and molecular cloning of the mannose-binding lectins from leaves and roots of garlic (Allium sativum L.)

Two novel lectins were isolated from roots and leaves of garlic. Characterization of the purified proteins indicated that the leaf lectin ASAL is a dimer of two identical subunits of 12 kDa, which closely resembles the leaf lectins from onion, leek and shallot with respect to its molecular structure and agglutination activity. In contrast, the root lectin ASARI, which is a dimer of subunits of 15 kDa, strongly differs from the leaf lectin with respect to its agglutination activity. cDNA cloning of the leaf and root lectins revealed that the deduced amino acid sequences of ASAL and ASARI are virtually identical. Since both lectins have identical N-terminal sequences the larger Mr of the ASARI subunits implies that the root lectin has an extra sequence at its C-terminus. These results not only demonstrate that virtually identical precursor polypeptides are differently processed at their C-terminus in roots and leaves but also indicate that differential processing yields mature lectins with strongly different biological activities. Further screening of the cDNA library for garlic roots also yielded a cDNA clone encoding a protein composed of two tandemly arrayed lectin domains. Since the presumed two-domain root lectin has not been isolated yet, its possible relationship to the previously described two-domain bulb lectin could not be studied at the protein level.     

Immunohistochemical and developmental studies to elucidate the mechanism of action of the snowdrop lectin on the rice brown planthopper,Nilaparvata lugens (Stal)

Rice brown planthoppers (Nilaparvata lugens) were fed on artificial diet containing snowdrop lectin (Galanthus nivalis agglutinin; GNA), which has been shown to be toxic towards this insect pest. In addition to decreasing survival, the lectin affected development, reducing the growth rate of nymphs by approximately 50% when present at a concentration of 5.3&mgr;M. Immunolocalisation studies showed that lectin binding was concentrated on the luminal surface of the midgut epithelial cells within the planthopper, suggesting that GNA binds to cell surface carbohydrate moieties in the gut. Immunolabelling at a lower level was also observed in the fat bodies, the ovarioles, and throughout the haemolymph. These observations suggest that GNA is able to cross the midgut epithelial barrier, and pass into the insect's circulatory system, resulting in a systemic toxic effect. Electron microscope studies showed morphological changes in the midgut region of planthoppers fed on a toxic dose of GNA, with disruption of the microvilli brush border region. No significant proteolytic degradation of GNA was observed either in the gut or honeydew of planthoppers fed on lectin-containing diet. The presence of glycoproteins which bind GNA in the gut of the brown planthopper was confirmed using digoxigen-labeled lectins to probe blots of extracted gut polypeptides.     

The closely related homomeric and heterodimeric mannose-binding lectins from garlic are encoded by one-domain and two-domain lectin genes, respectively.

Lectin cDNA clones for two different lectins from garlic (Allium sativum L.) bulbs, ASAI and ASAII (ASA, Allium sativum agglutinin), were isolated and characterized. The first lectin, ASAI, is a heterodimer composed of two different subunits of 11.5 kDa and 12.5 kDa. It is translated from an mRNA of 1400 nucleotides encoding a polypeptide of 306 amino acids with two very similar domains. N-terminal sequencing of the two polypeptides of the mature lectin confirmed that both subunits are derived from the same precursor and that each corresponds to one of the two domains in the sequence. In contrast to ASAI, the second garlic lectin, ASAII, is a homodimer of two identical 12-kDa subunits. It is translated from an mRNA of approximately 800 nucleotides encoding a polypeptide of 154 amino acids. Interestingly, the coding region of the ASAII cDNA clones is almost identical to that of the second domain of the ASAI cDNA clones.