Cloning and expression profiling of the DNA methyltransferase Dnmt3 gene in the Chinese honeybee, Apis cerana cerana (Hymenoptera:Apidae )

为探究中华蜜蜂Apis cerana cerana的DNA甲基化模式,本研究采用RT-PCR技术克隆了中华蜜蜂DNA甲基化转移酶3( Dnmt3)基因(GenBank登录号为JQ740768);采用荧光定量PCR检测不同发育时期工蜂(4日龄蛹,1,7和30日龄成年蜂及产卵工蜂)和蜂王(4日龄蛹,1日龄蜂王和产卵蜂王)头部的Dnmt3基因mRNA的表达量.结果表明:该基因cDNA序列全长2 277 bp,编码758个氨基酸残基,预测的蛋白分子量为88.24 kD,等电点为7.85.将中华蜜蜂与其他物种的Dnmt3基因的结构域进行比对,同时将该基因推导的氨基酸序列与其他物种的Dnmt3氨基酸序列进行同源性比对和系统发育分析,发现与西方蜜蜂的Dnmt3序列一致性高达99％.该基因在工蜂和蜂王不同发育时期均有表达,1日龄工蜂与7日龄工蜂中没有显著差异(P＞0.05),30日龄工蜂中的表达量显著高于前两者(P＜0.05);蜂王蛹中的表达量显著高于工蜂蛹(P＜0.05);1日龄的蜂王中的表达量显著高于1日龄的工蜂(P＜0.05);产卵工蜂与产卵蜂王中的表达量没有差异(P＞0.05).这种表达情况提示其可能与工蜂劳动分工及蜜蜂卵巢发育有关.     

中华蜜蜂DNA甲基化转移酶Dnmt3基因克隆及表达谱分析

为探究中华蜜蜂Apis cerana cerana的DNA甲基化模式, 本研究采用RT PCR技术克隆了中华蜜蜂DNA甲基化转移酶3（Dnmt3）基因(GenBank登录号为JQ740768); 采用荧光定量PCR检测不同发育时期工蜂（4日龄蛹, 1, 7和30日龄成年蜂及产卵工蜂）和蜂王（4日龄蛹, 1日龄蜂王和产卵蜂王）头部的Dnmt3基因mRNA的表达量。结果表明： 该基因cDNA序列全长2 277 bp, 编码758个氨基酸残基, 预测的蛋白分子量为88.24 kD, 等电点为7.85。将中华蜜蜂与其他物种的Dnmt3基因的结构域进行比对, 同时将该基因推导的氨基酸序列与其他物种的Dnmt3氨基酸序列进行同源性比对和系统发育分析, 发现与西方蜜蜂的Dnmt3序列一致性高达99%。该基因在工蜂和蜂王不同发育时期均有表达, 1日龄工蜂与7日龄工蜂中没有显著差异(P>0.05), 30日龄工蜂中的表达量显著高于前两者 (P<0.05); 蜂王蛹中的表达量显著高于工蜂蛹 (P<0.05); 1日龄的蜂王中的表达量显著高于1日龄的工蜂(P<0.05); 产卵工蜂与产卵蜂王中的表达量没有差异（P>0.05）。这种表达情况提示其可能与工蜂劳动分工及蜜蜂卵巢发育有关。     

短舌熊蜂及红光熊蜂耐寒力的测定

以过冷却点和冰点为评价指标,对短舌熊蜂Bombus terrestris的幼虫,蛹,成年工蜂,成年雄蜂,处女蜂王,越冬后的蜂王及红光熊蜂Bombus ignitus的成年工蜂,成年雄蜂,处女蜂王的耐寒力进行检测。结果显示,短舌熊蜂幼虫期耐寒力最低,其次是蛹,工蜂和雄蜂,处女王较高。耐寒力最高的是越冬后的蜂王,其含水量也最低。将短舌熊蜂与红光熊蜂的成年工蜂,成年雄蜂和处女蜂王三型蜂分别进行对比,结果显示,红光熊蜂成年雄蜂与处女蜂王的耐寒力要比短舌熊蜂高。样本的湿重和含水量与过冷却点和冰点无显著相关性。     

意大利蜜蜂血淋巴HP19蛋白的表达及功能

昆虫血淋巴蛋白HP19主要参与蜕皮激素调控昆虫的变态及发育进程,蜂群内的工蜂、蜂王和雄蜂具有不同的变态和发育历期,为探究hp19在调控意大利蜜蜂Apis mellifera ligustica三型蜂变态发育中的作用,本研究利用实时荧光定量PCR技术对hp19在不同发育时期的工蜂、雄蜂和蜂王体内的转录水平进行检测。结果表明,该基因在工蜂和雄蜂3龄幼虫体内表达量分别为参照基因的104和105倍,在5龄幼虫体内的表达则分别降为参照的10和102倍,蛹期表达量又都显著提高。hp19在蜂王整个幼虫期的表达保持在参照的102倍,封盖后逐渐上升,至化蛹前达到参照的105倍。在成年工蜂体内的表达为参照的104倍,而在新羽化蜂王和雄蜂体内表达水平为参照的107倍,但在性成熟的产卵蜂王和雄蜂体内的表达显著降低至参照的104倍。hp19在三型蜂体内这种不同的表达模式说明其不仅与三型蜂差异的变态发育历期有关,还可能与雄蜂和蜂王的生殖有关,具有多样的生物学功能。     

雌性意大利蜜蜂复眼形态发育及其视蛋白基因的表达

【目的】复眼作为大多数昆虫最重要的视觉器官,其小眼数量和体积大小一定程度上反映了昆虫视觉能力的强弱。视蛋白作为视觉感知中的功能性分子,在光信号转导过程中具有重要作用,基因的表达受到外源和内源等多种因素的影响。本研究旨在探讨蜂王和工蜂复眼形态发育及视蛋白基因的时间表达模式。【方法】选取3群群势相当的意大利蜜蜂Apis mellifera ligustica蜂群进行人工育王,采集蜂王与工蜂蛹期各日龄蜂蛹及新蜂样品,采用扫描电镜技术观察蜂王和工蜂复眼的外部形态结构,利用Image J软件测量复眼短长轴、面积、小眼个数、小眼面积和小眼直径;采用实时定量PCR技术检测蜂王和工蜂蛹期紫外光视蛋白基因（UV-sensitiveopsin,UVop）、绿光视蛋白基因（Greenopsin,Lop1）和蓝光视蛋白基因（Blue-sensitive opsin,BLop）3种视蛋白基因的mRNA表达水平。【结果】蜂王和工蜂均是在蛹期末龄（出房前）分化出小眼;出房后,蜂王和工蜂复眼面积均变小（P＜0.001）,蜂王复眼短轴（P＜0.05）、面积（P＜0.001）、小眼个数（P＜0.001）均显著小于工蜂,但...     

中华蜜蜂dynactin p62基因的克隆及不同发育阶段表达分析

为探究中华蜜蜂Apis cerana cerana dynactin p62基因的表达特性, 本研究克隆了中华蜜蜂dynactin p62的基因组DNA序列(GenBank登录号： JX101463) 和mRNA序列（GenBank登录号： JX101464）; 采用荧光定量PCR检测了中华蜜蜂dynactin p62在不同发育时期（3日龄和6日龄幼虫、 刚羽化出房蜜蜂）三型蜂中mRNA的表达量。结果表明： 该基因基因组DNA序列全长为2 403 bp, mRNA序列全长为1 491 bp, 编码496个氨基酸残基, 预测的蛋白分子量为56.49 kD, 等电点为8.31。系统发育分析表明中华蜜蜂dynactin p62与西方蜜蜂Apis mellifera dynactin p62聚成一支。该基因在不同发育时期均有表达, 在雌性蜜蜂（蜂王和工蜂）中, 刚羽化成虫期的表达量显著高于幼虫期(P<0.05), 并且同一发育时期相比, 工蜂的表达量显著高于蜂王(P<0.05); 而该基因在雄蜂中表达量没有明显的规律性。这些结果提示该基因可能与中华蜜蜂级型分化有关。     

王浆主蛋白MRJP7基因在意大利蜜蜂体内的表达

王浆蛋白是蜂王浆生物功能的物质基础,是由王浆蛋白基因家族(mrjps)编码合成的。但部分家族成员如MRJP7在王浆中的含量极少甚至检测不到。基因功能与其在生物体内的时空表达特性相关,为探究mrjp7的生物学功能,本研究利用荧光定量PCR技术对mrjp7在不同发育时期的工蜂和成年工蜂、雄蜂和蜂王的不同组织部位的表达进行定量检测。结果显示mrjp7在成年雄蜂体内的表达水平最低,成年蜂王次之,且在它们的各不同组织部位之间的表达量差异较小。该基因在工蜂幼虫和蛹期的表达同样较低,但在羽化后9日龄前后的哺育蜂王浆腺和头部特异性高表达,这与哺育蜂分泌蜂王浆哺育幼虫和蜂王的功能是相适应的,该结果在转录水平上证实了mrjp7的营养功能,为进一步的研究和应用打下了理论基础。     

烟粉虱MEAM1隐种卵黄原蛋白受体基因cDNA的克隆、 序列分析及在不同发育时期的表达

卵黄原蛋白受体（vitellogenin receptor, VgR）是卵黄原蛋白被卵母细胞摄取的关键因子, 在卵黄发生和卵母细胞发育等生理过程中发挥着重要作用。为探讨烟粉虱Bemisia tabaci VgR的功能, 我们采用RT-PCR和RACE等技术扩增了烟粉虱MEAM1隐种B. tabaci Middle East-Asia Minor 1 (MAEM1) 的VgR基因cDNA 全长序列。生物信息学分析表明, 烟粉虱MEAM1隐种的VgR基因cDNA全长5 774 bp, 编码1 919个氨基酸, 推测分子量约201 kDa, N-端前31个氨基酸为信号肽。烟粉虱MEAM1隐种的VgR属于低密度脂蛋白受体（low density lipoprotein receptor, LDLR）家族, 蛋白质三维结构预测分析表明, 该受体具有LDLR家族基因典型的保守功能结构域。通过实时荧光定量PCR技术研究了烟粉虱MEAM1隐种VgR基因不同发育时期的表达, 结果表明VgR基因在伪蛹期开始表达, 并在羽化后1 d达到高峰, 此后逐渐降低, 3 d后又逐渐升高, 直至羽化后7 d达到峰值。研究结果丰富了卵黄原蛋白受体家族基因的数据库, 为今后深入研究并揭示烟粉虱卵黄发生的调控机制奠定了基础。     

西方蜜蜂(Apismellifera)不同级型蜕皮激素早期应答因子ecr和usp的表达及功能分析

为探究蜕皮激素早期应答因子ecr和usp在不同级型的西方蜜蜂体内的表达及其他相关生物学功能和作用,本研究通过荧光定量PCR技术对不同级型、发育时期的西方蜜蜂中的ecr与usp表达水平进行检测。结果表明,ecr、usp在工蜂小幼虫体内的表达与参照相同,随后稍有增加,但在变态期急剧降至最低水平,而后的蛹期又逐步增加,在成年蜂时期的表达持续维持在较高水平;蜂王体内的变化趋势与工蜂基本类似,所不同的是各阶段的表达量都显著高于工蜂,且在产卵王体内的表达显著高于处女蜂王;雄蜂体内ecr的表达在小幼虫时期稍高,但此后至蛹期都一直处于较低的表达水平,至蛹后期才稍有增加,但羽化后水平较低,老龄雄蜂体内又稍有提高。但usp在雄蜂体内的表达却基本呈现出与发育时期无关的高表达,大致为参照的283倍。ecr与usp在三型蜂体内的这种表达模式揭示了MH不仅调控蜜蜂生长发育、蜕皮变态,还可能与蜜蜂的生殖有关,而usp在雄蜂体内的表达说明USP除了与Ec R组成活性复合体参与MH调控蜕皮与生殖外,还可能具有其他的生物学功能。该结果为进一步研究蜕皮激素及其效应因子的生物学功能提供了依据。     

中华蜜蜂mab-21基因序列分析及表达特征

【目的】探究中华蜜蜂 Apis cerana cerana Male abnomal 21（mab-21）基因在不同发育阶段的表达特性及染螨条件下mab-21基因表达变化规律。【方法】本研究利用RT-PCR方法,克隆了中华蜜蜂mab-21的基因编码区;采用荧光定量PCR方法检测了中华蜜蜂mab-21在不同发育时期（新出房蜂、哺育蜂、守卫蜂及采集蜂）工蜂头部中mRNA的表达量以及接种大蜂螨 Varroa destructor 前后mab-21基因的表达变化。【结果】克隆获得中华蜜蜂mab-21 cDNA,命名为 Accmab 21（GenBank登录号KR000001）。序列分析显示, 该编码区开放阅读框长为1 098 bp,编码365个氨基酸,推测的编码蛋白的相对分子量和等电点分别为41.63 kD和8.53。系统发育分析表明中华蜜蜂mab-21与西方蜜蜂 Apis mellifera mab-21、小蜜蜂Apis florea mab-21和熊蜂Bombus impatiens mab-21聚成一支。该基因在中华蜜蜂工蜂的不同发育时期均有表达,其中哺育蜂阶段显著高于新出房蜂、守卫蜂和采集蜂(P<0.05)。接种大蜂螨后,哺育蜂和守卫蜂中mab-21基因的表达下降显著(P<0.05);而在新出房蜂和采集蜂中表达量变化不显著。【结论】该基因可能与中华蜜蜂抗螨行为相关。     

The vitellogenin of the bumblebee, Bombus hypocrita: studies on structural analysis of the cDNA and expression of the mRNA

In this present study, the cDNA of Bombus hypocrita vitellogenin (Vg) was cloned and sequenced. It is composed of 5,478 bp and contains an ORF of 1,772 amino acids within a putative signal peptide of 16 residues. The deduced amino acid sequence shows significant similarity with Bombus ignitus (95%) and Apis mellifera (52%) and a high number of conserved motifs. Close to the C terminus there is a GL/ICG motif followed by nine cysteines, and a DGXR motif is located 18 residues upstream from the GL/ICG motif. Moreover, we predicted the 3D structure of B. hypocrita Vg. Furthermore, the Vg mRNA of B. hypocrita was spatio-temporally analyzed in different castes (such as queen, worker and drone) from pupae to adult. The Vg mRNA was found in the white-eyed pupal (Pw) stage in queens, and the expression increased during the entire pupal development and attained its peak in the dark brown pupal stage. It also had a high expression in the adult fat body. In workers, the Vg expression was detected in the Pw stage, and its levels increased with age with the highest in 15 days. Afterward, it decreased progressively. Vg mRNA was also observed in drones, with a higher level of expression shown in only freshly molted adult drones.     

The vitellogenin of the honey bee,Apis mellifera: structural analysis of the cDNA and expression studies

The cDNA of Apis mellifera vitellogenin was cloned and sequenced. It is 5440 bp long and contains an ORF of 1770 amino acids (including a putative signal peptide of 16 residues). The deduced amino acid sequence shows significant similarity with other hymenopteran vitellogenins (58% with Pimpla nipponica and 54% with Athalia rosae). The alignment with 19 insect vitellogenins shows a high number of conserved motifs; for example, close to the C-terminus there is a GL/ICG motif followed by nine cysteines, as occurs in all hymenopteran species, and, as in other insect vitellogenins, a DGXR motif is located 18 residues upstream the GL/ICG motif. Phylogenetic analysis of vitellogenin sequences available in insects gave a tree that is congruent with the currently accepted insect phylogenetic schemes. Using two fragments of the vitellogenin cDNA as probes, we analyzed by Northern blot the sex- and caste-specific patterns of vitellogenin expression in pupae and adults of A. mellifera. In queens, vitellogenin mRNA was first detected in mid-late pupal stage, whereas in workers it was first detected in late pupal stage. Vitellogenin mRNA was also observed in drones, although it was first detected not in pupae but in freshly molted adults.     

小峰熊蜂蜂王蛹期发育蛋白质组分析

为了探明小峰熊蜂Bombus hypocrita蜂王蛹期发育蛋白质表达调控方面的特点,揭示其发育的分子机理。采用双向电泳法对小峰熊蜂蜂王蛹期发育进行蛋白质组研究,结果在小峰熊蜂蜂王蛹期的白眼期(A期)、褐眼期(B期)和黑眼期(C期)分别检测到81、80和75个蛋白点,特有蛋白质分别为8个、7个和2个,共有蛋白质为61个,A期到B期有4个蛋白质显著上调,5个显著下调,B期到C期有7个蛋白质显著上调,1个显著下调,A期到C期有10个蛋白质显著上调,有4个显著下调。此外,3个蛋白质是在A、B期表达C期关闭,6个蛋白质A、C期表达,B期关闭,5个蛋白质A期关闭,而B、C期表达。初步表明小峰熊蜂蜂王从蛹期发育到成蜂过程中,不仅需要一些保守蛋白质来调控,而且还需要一些特异蛋白质。     

A simple and rapid method for cloning insect vitellogenin cDNAs

We describe a simple and rapid method for cloning insect vitellogenin (Vg) cDNAs. The method relies on the facts that insect Vg amino acid sequences can be aligned confidently along their entire lengths and that a short, highly conserved GL/ICG motif and up to nine cysteine residues that follow at conserved locations are present near the C-termini. An adaptor-ligated double-strand cDNA library is constructed from poly(A)+ RNA prepared from vitellogenic female fat body tissues using a commercial kit, and subjected to PCR with each of the degenerate nucleotide sequences for the GL/ICG motif and the adaptor sequence as primers. The PCR products (0.7-0.9 kb, representing the 3' portion) are cloned, the nucleotide sequences are determined, and the deduced amino acid sequences are aligned with the known insect Vg sequences starting from the GL/ICG motif. Gene-specific primers corresponding to the sequences near the 5'-termini of the initial clones and the adaptor sequence are employed to obtain the remaining 5' portion of the Vg cDNAs. The method was successfully applied to the bean bug Plautia stali (Heteroptera), revealing three Vg genes.     

印度疟疾媒介库态按蚊卵黄蛋白原基因的克隆与生物信息学分析（英文）

卵黄蛋白原（vitellogenin, Vg)是主要的卵黄蛋白前体, 在雌虫血餐之后在脂肪体内大量合成。卵黄蛋白原的调节元件已经被用于驱动蚊子（与寄生虫发生最大相互作用的场所）中抗寄生基因的组织特异性表达。不过, 迄今为止, 对在印度引起60%~70%疟疾发生的库态按蚊Anopheles culicifacies中的内源启动子尚未进行过分析。本研究通过PCR扩增了包括5′端上游调节区在内的库态按蚊A. culicifacies卵黄蛋白原基因, 并命名为AncuVg (GenBank登录号为JN113091)。它含有一个大约6.2 kb的开放阅读框, 编码2 052个氨基酸, 具有一个16个氨基酸残基的推断的信号肽。也含有一个N_Vitellogenin区和一个VWF型D区, 这两个区在其他昆虫卵黄蛋白原中也保守。估计多肽分子量为238.0 kDa, 含有4个共有的(RXXR/S)切割位点, C端附近有一个GL/ICG基序, 其后是9个半胱氨酸残基和1个位于GL/ICCG基序上游第18个氨基酸残基处的DGXR 基序。在推断的氨基酸序列上发现3个聚丝氨酸区, 其中2个位于氨基端, 1个位于羧基端。根据同义密码子相对使用概率值, 通过有效密码子数, 测定了蚊子卵黄蛋白原基因密码子的偏倚性程度。也预测了库态按蚊A. culicifacies Vg的三维结构。分析了AncuVg基因, 以理解Vg基因的转录调节。对Vg基因5′端上游区进行的系统发育分析表明, 它们聚类于蚊子的3大分枝。也用各种生物信息学工具分析分析了Vg的同源性和特征。     

Sequence and the developmental and tissue-specific regulation of the first complete vitellogenin messenger RNA from ticks responsible for heme sequestration

The first full-length mRNA for vitellogenin (Vg) from ticks was sequenced. This also represents the first complete sequence of Vg from the Chelicerata and of a heme binding Vg. The Vg cDNA from the American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis was 5744nt in length (GenBank Accession number AY885250), which coded for a protein of 1843 aa with a calculated molecular weight of 208 kD. This protein had an 18 aa signal sequence, a single RXXR cleavage signal that would generate two subunits (49.5 and 157K in molecular weight) and lipoprotein N-terminal and carboxy von Willebrand factor type D domains. Tryptic digest MS analysis of vitellin protein confirmed the function of the cDNA as the tick yolk protein. Apparently, vitellin in D. variabilis is oligomeric (possibly dimeric) and is comprised of a mixture of the uncleaved monomer and subunits that were predicted from the single RXXR cleavage signal. The highly conserved GL/ICG motif close to the C-terminus in insect Vg genes was different in the tick Vg message, i.e., GLCS. This variant was also present in a partial sequence of Vg from Boophilus microplus. Phylogenic analysis showed that the full length Vg cDNA from D. variabilis and the partial cDNA from B. microplus were distinct from insects and Crustacea. The Vg message was not found in whole body RNA from unfed or fed males or in unfed and partially fed (virgin) females as determined by Northern blotting. The message was found in replete (mated) pre-ovipositional females, increased to higher levels in ovipositing females and was absent after egg laying was complete. The endocrine regulation of the Vg mRNA is discussed. The tissue sources of the Vg message are both the gut and fat body. Tryptic digest MS fingerprinting suggests that a second Vg mRNA might be present in the American dog tick, which needs further study.     

应用微卫星标记分析野生红光熊蜂蜂王的一妻多夫水平

为了摸清自然条件下红光熊蜂Bombus ignitus Smith的一妻多夫水平,本实验采用B118、B11、B96、B124和B126微卫星位点,对来自5群野生红光熊蜂(A、B、C、D和E)的工蜂和雄蜂样本进行了分析。结果推导出:在A、B、C、D和E群体的工蜂基因型中,来自父本的基因型分别有3、2、3、4和3种,即与母本蜂王交配的雄蜂数量分别是3、2、3、4和3只。表明在自然条件下,红光熊蜂同其他蜜蜂科的蜂种一样,也存在一妻多夫现象,且与蜂王交配的雄蜂数量平均为3只。     

Molecular evidence for two vitellogenin genes and processing of vitellogenins in the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana

The American cockroach, Periplaneta americana has two vitellins (Vn1 and Vn2) and corresponding vitellogenins (Vg1 and Vg2). Vns/Vgs were separated on the SDS-PAGE as three major polypeptide bands [170, 100 (multisubunits), and 50 kD] and a minor polypeptide band (150 kD) both in the egg (mature terminal oocyte) extract and in the female hemolymph. We previously cloned one Vg (Vg1) cDNA and showed that the 170-kD polypeptide originated from the C-terminus of the Vg1. In the present study, we cloned the other Vg (Vg2) cDNA. It is 5,826 bp long encoding 1,876 amino acid residues (including 16 residues for putative signal peptide) in a single ORF. The deduced amino acid sequences of both Vgs (Vg1 and Vg2) of P. americana showed 30% identity. The GL/ICG motif is followed by eight cysteine residues at conserved locations near the C-terminal and the DGXR motif starts 18 residues upstream of the GL/ICG motif. The chemically determined N-terminal amino acid sequences of the 150-kD and of the 50-kD polypeptides matched exactly with each other and with the deduced N-terminal amino acid sequence of the Vg2 cDNA. The pattern of processing in P. americana Vns/Vgs is discussed.     

Osmia cornifrons vitellogenin: cDNA cloning,structural analysis and developmental expression

Osmia cornifrons plays a major role in the pollination of orchards, but basic information on vitellogenin and oocyte development is limited. To better understand vitellogenin in hymenopteran insects, we cloned a cDNA encoding vitellogenin from the hornfaced bee O. cornifrons. Osmia cornifrons vitellogenin cDNA contains 5477 bp with an open reading frame of 1783 amino acid residues, and has a predicted molecular mass of approximately 200.21 kDa and a pI of 6.55. Osmia cornifrons vitellogenin possesses four consensus (RXXR/S) cleavage sites and has conserved DGXR and GL/ICG motifs in the C‐terminus. The deduced amino acid sequence of the O. cornifrons vitellogenin cDNA showed a 66% identity with Megachile rotundata, 53% to Apis mellifera, 51% to Bombus ignitus and 42%–30% with other hymenopteran insect vitellogenins. Phylogenetic analysis showed that O. cornifrons vitellogenin clustered with vitellogenins from Megachilidae, Apidae, Vespidae and Formicidae species but not with those from Pteromalidae, Aphelinidae or Ichneumonidae species. The expression profile of O. cornifrons vitellogenin mRNA during development revealed that O. cornifrons vitellogenin was first detected in the pupal stage and was continuously detected during the adult stage. Interestingly, O. cornifrons vitellogenin mRNA expression was low in mid‐diapause, then gradually increased beginning on day 3 of the newly emerged adult stage, and subsequently declined. These results suggest that the expression level of O. cornifrons vitellogenin mRNA is stage‐specific.     

Cloning of vitellogenin cDNA of the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana (Dictyoptera), and its structural and expression analyses

A cDNA expression library constructed from poly (A)(+) RNA prepared from vitellogenic female fat body cells of the American cockroach, Periplaneta americana (Dictyoptera) was screened using a polyclonal antiserum against the 100-kD polypeptide(s) from the egg extract. A partial Vg cDNA clone was obtained and sequenced. The 5' end portion of the cDNA was then obtained by the RACE method, cloned, and sequenced. The combined complete Vg cDNA was 5,854 bp long and contained a single ORF encoding 1,896 amino acids. The entire deduced amino acid sequence was aligned confidently with those of the known insect Vgs. A GL/ICG motif, a number of cysteines at conserved locations following this motif, and a DGXR motif upstream of the GL/ICG motif were present near the C-terminal. The chemically determined N-terminal amino acid sequence of the 170-kD polypeptide from the egg extract completely matched the deduced sequence starting from just after one of the consensus (RXXR) cleavage sites, indicating the occurrence of post-translational cleavage in the fat body cells. The Vg gene begins to be expressed in the 2-day-old adult female fat body cells but is never expressed in ovaries or in male fat body cells. Hemolymph Vg was first detected by immunoblotting in 4-day-old adult females, 2 days after the beginning of gene expression. Western blot analysis of major yolk polypeptides in nine cockroach species belonging to the two superfamilies, Blattoidea and Blaberoidea, using the antisera against P. americana major yolk polypeptides showed that the similarities in Vn antigenicity are basically limited to within a superfamily.