Insect transferrin functions as an antioxidant protein in a beetle larva.
In insects transferrin is known as an iron transporter, an antibiotic agent, a vitellogenin, and a juvenile hormone regulated protein. Here, a novel functional role for insect transferrin as an antioxidant protein is demonstrated. Stressors, such as heat shock, fungal challenge, and H(2)O(2) exposure, cause upregulation of the white-spotted flower chafer Protaetia brevitarsis (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae) transferrin (PbTf) mRNA in the fat body and increases PbTf protein levels in the hemolymph. RNA interference (RNAi) treated PbTf reduction causes increased iron and H(2)O(2) levels in the hemolymph and results in induction of apoptotic cell death in the fat body during exposure to stress. The observed effects of PbTf RNAi suggest that PbTf inhibits stress-induced apoptosis by diminishing the Fenton reaction via the binding of iron, thus supporting an antioxidant role for PbTf in stress responses.
Kim
Bo Yeon
BY
College of Natural Resources and Life Science, Dong-A University, Busan 604-714, South Korea.
Lee
Kwang Sik
KS
Choo
Young Moo
YM
Kim
Iksoo
I
Je
Yeon Ho
YH
Woo
Soo Dong
SD
Lee
Sang Mong
SM
Park
Hyun Cheol
HC
Sohn
Hung Dae
HD
Jin
Byung Rae
BR
D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000502:physiology*; D052982:Beauveria; D001517:Coleoptera / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology; D006458:Hemolymph / Q000378:metabolism; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000494:pharmacology; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D007814:Larva / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology; D018384:Oxidative Stress; D034622:RNA Interference; D014168:Transferrin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*
D000975:Antioxidants; D019476:Insect Proteins; D014168:Transferrin; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide