In vitro uptake of larval haemolymph proteins by male accessory reproductive glands of the stem borer, Chilo partellus

Summary

The male accessory reproductive glands (ARG) of Chilo partellus show the presence of certain protein fractions which are immunologically identical with larval haemolymph proteins (LHPs). The uptake of radiolabelled haemolymph proteins obtained from the mid-last instar larvae by the male ARG has been studied here. The results show that the ARGs sequester both the LHPs (LHP 1 and LHP 2) in vitro and this uptake is stimulated by 20-hydroxyecdysone as well as by its agonist, RH 5849. When the ARGs are co-cultured with ³⁵S methionine-labelled fat body of mid-last instar larvae in the presence of 20-hydroxyecdysone, there is an increased uptake of LHPs along with a few other polypeptide fractions. In vitro culture of ARG followed by fluorographic analysis reveals that the ARGs synthesise large number of polypeptides but those which co-migrate with the LHPs are absent.

Keywords:

• male accessory gland
• larval haemolymph protein
• Chilo partellus
• uptake