The nonvitellogenic female protein of Musca domestica is an adult-specific hexamerin

Abstract

During Musca domestica vitellogenesis a protein is preferentially synthesized by the female fat body and accumulates in the haemolymph but not in the ovaries. This protein, designated nonvitellogenic female protein (NVFP), was purified and shown to be a hexamer with an M(r) = 430 kDa, and subunits of M(r) = 70 kDa. The hexamer dissociates into subunits when the pH is elevated from 7.0 to 9.0. Two cDNA clones, F0 and F2, were isolated and analysed. The 2.2 kb F2 clone has an open reading frame that encodes a conceptual translation product that has similarity to the Drosophila melanogaster LSP-2 hexamerin. Recombinant protein from the F2-cDNA is recognized by a specific anti-NVFP serum. The temporal pattern of mRNA expression of the gene represented by the F2 clone follows that determined for the synthesis of NVFP. The data support the conclusion that NVFP is an hexamerin specific to the adult stage of Musca domestica.