Cytodifferentiation in the accessory glands of Tenebrio molitor. VIII. Crossed immunoelectrophoretic analysis of terminal differentiation in the postecdysial tubular accessory glands

Paul N. Black, Milton H. Landers, George M. Happ

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

19 Scopus citations

Abstract

The terminal differentiation of the tubular accessory glands in the postecdysial male mealworm beetle, Tenebrio molitor, is characterized by the synthesis of four major groups of proteins as analyzed by one-dimensional SDS-poly-acrylamide gel electrophoresis. On two-dimensional gels (SDS and pI), two of these groups of proteins (A and B) are acidic in nature and have apparent MWs of 17,500 and 18,800, respectively. A third protein group (C) is heterogeneous with respect to isoelectric point (neutral to basic) and has a MW of about 21,900. The fourth class of proteins (D) is divisible into two subgroups on the basis of isoelectric points and has MWs ranging from 26,400 to 29,100. Antibodies have been produced to the soluble portion of mature tubular accessory glands. The preparations of heterologous antisera have been shown to be gland specific following absorption with bean-shaped accessory gland homogenates and ammonium sulfate fractionation. The first appearance and subsequent accumulation during postecdysial maturation of some of these proteins have been determined by crossed immunoelectrophoresis. The A and B proteins are detected immunologically, initially in the late pupa, and their quantities remain unchanged until shortly after adult eclosion. During the 8 days following adult eclosion each of these proteins increases in quantity from ∼10 to ∼7000 ng. A third immunoreactive protein appears in the 2-day old adult and increases to ∼960 ng over the following 6 days. The identity of this antigen is uncertain although it may represent either the C or the D protein. Based on crossed immunoelectrophoresis, it is evident that at least two of these tubular accessory gland antigens appear to contribute to the spermatophore.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)106-115
Number of pages10
JournalDevelopmental Biology
Volume94
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Nov 1982
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Biology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Cell Biology

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