Identification of new immune induced molecules in the haemolymph of **Drosophila melanogaster** by 2D-nanoLC MS/MS

Verleyen, Peter; Baggerman, Geert; D'Hertog, Wannes; Verstraete, Evy; Husson, Steven J.; Schoofs, Liliane

doi:10.1016/J.JINSPHYS.2005.12.007

Title

Identification of new immune induced molecules in the haemolymph of **Drosophila melanogaster** by 2D-nanoLC MS/MS

Author

Verleyen, Peter

Baggerman, Geert

D'Hertog, Wannes

Verstraete, Evy

Husson, Steven J.

Schoofs, Liliane

Abstract

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) play an important role in the innate immunity of insects. In Drosophila 17 additional immune induced molecules (DIMs) were found in the haemolymph of adult flies upon septic injury. Previous studies using MALDI mass spectrometry combined with Edman degradation, detected AMPs and DIMs of a predominantly large size. By means of 2D-nanoLC ESI MS/MS, 43 DIMs were identified in this study from the haemolymph of Drosophila third instar larvae 12 h after challenge with a mixture of Micrococcus luteus and Escherichia coli. Most peptides were derived from known AMP or DIM precursors, but only four peptides were purified and identified before. The majority of the peptides that we detected were smaller in size. Interestingly, two previously unknown peptide precursors were found and hereby related to immune defense. These include CG7738 and CG32185. Many of the identified peptides are post-translationally modified by an N-terminal pyroglutamic acid and/or a C-terminal amide. Haemolymph of control larvae was treated in the same way and revealed only one peptide.

Language

English

Source (journal)

Journal of insect physiology. - Oxford

Publication

Oxford : 2006

ISSN

0022-1910

DOI

10.1016/J.JINSPHYS.2005.12.007

Volume/pages

52 :4 (2006) , p. 379-388