Determination of α-2,6 sialic acid in developmental stages of Galleria mellonella (Lepidoptera)

Abstract

Summary Sialic acids are the terminal glycan structures of many glycoproteins and glycolipids, and they play a key role in many biological processes. Sialic acids can be classified according to their linkages to underlying glycans as α-2,3-, α-2,6-, and α-2,8 sialic acids. In this study, the expression level and distribution of α-2,6 linked sialic acid in the third and final larval, mature prepupa, and pupa stages of Galleria mellonella were investigated by SNA (Sambucus nigra agglutinin) lectin immunofluorescence and lectin blot analysis. The immunofluorescence analysis showed that levels of α-2,6 linked sialic acid were high in larval stages, especially the last larval stage, lower in mature prepupa and absent in pupa. The results of lectin blotting with SNA were consistent with immunofluorescence results. From these results, it could be inferred that the level of α-2,6 linked terminal sialic acid in insect tissues declines during development and aging.