The process of lipid storage in insect oocytes: the involvement of Beta-chain of ATP synthase in lipophorin-mediated lipid transfer in the Chagas' disease vector Panstrongylus megistus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae)

FRUTTERO LL; LEYRIA J; RAMOS FO; STARIOLO R; SETTEMBRINI BP; CANAVOSO LE

JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY

PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2017 vol. 96 p. 82 - 82

0022-1910

ipophorin is the main lipoprotein in the hemolymph of insects. During vitellogenesis, lipophorin delivers its hydrophobic cargo to developing oocytes by its binding to non-endocytic receptors at the plasma membrane of the cells. In some species however, lipophorin may also be internalized to some extent, thus maximizing the storage of lipid resources in growing oocytes. The ectopic Beta chain of ATP synthase (Beta-ATPase) was recently described as a putative non-endocytic lipophorin receptor in the anterior midgut of the hematophagous insect Panstrongylus megistus. In the present work, females of this species at the vitellogenic stage of the reproductive cycle were employed to investigate the role of Beta-ATPase in the transfer of lipids to the ovarian tissue. Subcellular fractionation and western blot revealed the presence of Beta-ATPase in the microsomal membranes of the ovarian tissue, suggesting its localization in the plasma membrane. Immunofluorescence assays showed partial co-l