Wing morph-related differences in developmental pattern of accessory gland proteins in adult males of Pyrrhocoris apterus (L.) and their endocrine control

Abstract

The study showed that the amounts of the total proteins and 53kDa protein in male accessory glands (AGs) of the firebug Pyrrhocoris apterus (L.) increased with age of the adult life. The 53kDa protein, the most abundant polypeptide detected in the secretion of the AGs, and some other smaller peptides were identified as glycoproteins. Changes in the amounts of the total proteins and 53kDa protein in AGs were found to be wing morph-dependent and their levels were significantly higher in 1–10 days old brachypterous males than in macropterous males of the same age. Macropterous males were characterized by delayed growth of the AGs. Treatment of adult macropterous males with methoprene significantly increased the amounts of total proteins and 53kDa protein in their AGs when compared to acetone-treated macropterous controls of the same age. Allatectomy of brachypterous males decreased the levels of the total proteins and 53kDa protein in their AGs, while application of methoprene enhanced the quantity of allatectomy-suppressed proteins in these tissues. This is the first report of juvenile hormone-dependent wing morph-related differences in the synthesis of AG proteins and their endocrine control in wing-polymorphic insects.