Lipid metabolism in the hematophagous Panstrongylus megistus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae): interaction lipophorin-midgut membrane

FRUTTERO, LL; STARIOLO, R; RUBIOLO, ER; CANAVOSO, LE

JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE

University of Wisconsin

Lugar: Wisconsin, USA; Año: 2006 vol. 6 p. 21 - 21

1536-2442

n insects, the transfer of midgut lipids to the hemolymph is a remarkable event mediated by lipophorin (Lp), the main insect lipoprotein. In order to understand the regulation of this process in hematophagous insects we have analyzed the transfer of diacylglycerol into circulation, and the interaction Lp with the midgut membrane using a solid-phase binding assay. In addition, the sites of interaction of Lp with the midgut cells were localized by immunofluorescence assays. This study was performed employing Panstrongylus megistus (Hemiptera:Reduviidae), an important vector of Chagas? disease. This insect takes large blood meals, containing a substantial amount of lipid. Lp was isolated from hemolymph of fifth instar nymphs by a KBr gradient and the membranes were obtained by ultracentrifugation of midgut homogenates. Thereafter, the membranes were suspended by mild sonification, adsorbed in plates, and the amount of bound Lp was quantified by ELISA. The factors anal