Abstract
Blister beetle is an important insect model for both medicinal and pure research. Previous research has mainly focused on its biology and biochemistry, but very little data is yet available in the molecular biology. This study uses differential proteomics technology to analyze the soluble proteins extracted from each of the 5 instars larvae of Epicauta chinensis. 42 of the differentially-expressed proteins were identified successfully by MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS. Some of these proteins’ function and their expression profiles are analyzed. Our analysis revealed dynamics regulation of the following proteins: Axin-like protein pry-1 (APR-1), dihydrolipoyl dehydrogenase (DLD), vitellogenin (Vg) and lysozyme C (Lmz-S). APR-1 negatively regulates the Wnt signaling pathway. Its overexpression could result in embryo, leg, eye and ovary ectopica or malformation. DLD catalyzes the pyruvate into acetyl-CoA, the latter is the starting material of juvenile hormone (JH) and ipsdienol biosynthesis through the MVA pathway in insects. While Vg synthesis can be regulated by JH and stimulated by food factors. So DLD may affect the synthesis of JH, ipsdienol and Vg indirectly. The activity of lysozyme is an indicator of the immunity. Nutrition/food should be taken into account for its potential role during the development of larva in the future. Among the five genes and their corresponding proteins’ expression, only hsc70 gene showed a good correspondence with the protein level. This reflects the fluctuating relationship between mRNA and protein levels.
Highlights
The blister beetle Epicauta chinensis Laporte (Coleoptera: Meloidae) produces the active monoterpene substance called cantharidin
Proteins mainly distributed within the range of 20–70 kDa according to molecular weight (MW)
We employed a comparative proteomic approach to investigate the proteomic differences of Epicauta chinensis larvae from first to fifth instar. 2-DE profiles showed variations in some spots’ abundance. 42 differentially-expressed proteins were identified successfully by MALDI-TOF/TOF
Summary
The blister beetle Epicauta chinensis Laporte (Coleoptera: Meloidae) produces the active monoterpene substance called cantharidin. Epicauta chinensis L. occurs with one generation a year in the northern area of China. They are polyphagous insects with adults mainly feeding on fresh soybean and Lucerne (alfalfa) leaves. The 5th instar is a pseudo pupa that does not eat and does not move, but enters diapause This state can endure about half a year in the natural world; this affects both artificial breeding in the laboratory and our ability to conduct research in a timely manner. The 6th instar, called the ‘‘second grub’’, is the non-feeding state just prior to pupation [4,5,6] Such larval development with such marked differences is referred to as hypermetamorphosis, and is perhaps best known in the Meloidae. What happens within the 5th instar larval body and what factors cause them enter diapause deserves further investigation
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
