The storage of nutritional resources during vitellogenesis of Panstrongylus megistus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae): The pathways of lipophorin in lipid delivery to developing oocytes

FRUTTERO, LL; FREDE, S; RUBIOLO, ER; CANAVOSO, LE

PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD

Año: 2011 vol. 57 p. 475 - 475

In this work, we have analyzed the pathways by which lipophorin (Lp) delivers its lipid cargo to developing oocytes of Panstrongylus megistus, a hematophagous vector of Chagas’ disease. Lp, vitellin, total lipids and proteins were measured in ovarian tissues at different stages of the reproductive cycle. Localization of Lp in developing oocytes, mainly at their cortical area, was demonstrated by immunofluorescence assays using an anti-Lp antibody labeled with FITC. In vivo approaches injecting fluorescently labeled Lp to follow the course of the entire particle (Lp-DiI or Lp-Oregon Green) or its lipid cargo (Lp-Bodipy-FA) were monitored by laser scanning confocal microscopy. Significant increases in the amounts of lipids, proteins and vitellin were observed in ovarian tissue with the progress of vitellogenesis. Unexpectedly, an increase in the amount of Lp was also observed. Th