Proteomic-Based Insight into Malpighian Tubules of Silkworm Bombyx mori

Xiao-Wu Zhong,Qi-Ying Yi,Ping Zhao,Qing-You Xia,Cui-Mei Hu,Yong Zou,Shi-Ping Liu,Chen Wang,Vladimir N Uversky

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0075731

Abstract

Malpighian tubules (MTs) are highly specific organs of arthropods (Insecta, Myriapoda and Arachnida) for excretion and osmoregulation. In order to highlight the important genes and pathways involved in multi-functions of MTs, we performed a systematic proteomic analysis of silkworm MTs in the present work. Totally, 1,367 proteins were identified by one-dimensional gel electrophoresis coupled with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and as well as by Trans Proteomic Pipeline (TPP) and Absolute protein expression (APEX) analyses. Forty-one proteins were further identified by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. Some proteins were revealed to be significantly associated with various metabolic processes, organic solute transport, detoxification and innate immunity. Our results might lay a good foundation for future functional studies of MTs in silkworm and other lepidoptera.

Highlights

Malpighian tubules (MTs) of insects were described by Marcello Malpighi in the seventeenth century, but were not functionally studied until the twentieth
MT-specific genes in Drosophila are highly homologous to some disease-associated genes in humans [8], suggesting that the MTs can serve as organ models for the study of kidney diseases
The MT samples were digested with trypsin, and the peptides were separated by 1-DE LC-MS/MS (Figure 1)

Summary

Introduction

Malpighian tubules (MTs) of insects were described by Marcello Malpighi in the seventeenth century, but were not functionally studied until the twentieth. MTs are excretory organs and function to kidneys in higher animals [2,3], eliminating waste products with water and maintaining a constant body composition despite changes in the external environment. The MTs of Drosophila perform organic solute transport, metabolism, and detoxification [4]. MT-specific genes in Drosophila are highly homologous to some disease-associated genes in humans [8], suggesting that the MTs can serve as organ models for the study of kidney diseases. Leaf beetles retain a specialized set of MTs into adulthood and can create a sticky material for shield of their eggs [10]

Methods

Results

Conclusion