title: Vitellogenin diversity in tropical lizards (Anolis pulchellus): identification and partial characterization.
abstract: 1. Three size-classes of vitellogenin polypeptides were detected by electrophoretic and radiolabeling techniques in 32Pi-labeled plasma of vitellogenic female lizards but not in male animals. Based on their apparent Mr, the polypeptides were designated as VTG-226-201K, VTG-169-153K and VTG-116-123K. 2. Structural differences were found between VTG-169-153K and VTG-116K by partial proteolysis with S. aureus V8 protease and radiolabeling techniques. 3. Autoradiography of a 3-10% native gradient gel revealed three different species of VTG in 32Pi-labeled plasma of stimulated males: VTG-I (Mr = 850,000), VTG-II (Mr = 750,000) and VTG-III (Mr = 610,000). By 2D PAGE, it was shown that VTG-169K and VTG-116K are components of VTG-I, while VTG-153K and VTG-116K comprise VTG-III. These results suggest an oligomeric structure for native VTG. 4. Amino acid analysis, 32Pi incorporation, electrophoretical behavior and Mr estimation demonstrated homology between VTG-116K and the S1-lipovitellin from the lizard egg. 5. These results strongly indicate an unusual multiplicity of VTG forms in tropical lizards when compared to other egg-laying vertebrates.
authors.affiliation: Biology Department, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Baerga-Santini
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hernández de Morales
mesh_terms: D000596:Amino Acids / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D001345:Autoradiography; D004586:Electrophoresis; D004958:Estradiol / Q000494:pharmacology; D005260:Female; D008116:Lizards / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D010449:Peptide Mapping; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000097:blood* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D014819:Vitellogenins / Q000097:blood* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000596:Amino Acids; D010750:Phosphoproteins; D014819:Vitellogenins; D004958:Estradiol