Function of Juvenile Hormone Esterase Binding Protein in Insects

Iowa State University, Ames IA

Investigators

Abstract

Juvenile hormone esterase (JHE) helps to regulate the titer of juvenile hormone and, hence, larval development in insects. JHE is actively removed from hemolymph by athrocytes that maintain appropriate hemolymph composition, and is degraded in lysosomes. A binding protein, P29, binds JHE in athrocytes and appears to be important for appropriate processing of JHE in these cells. Dr. Bonning aims to identify the mechanism(s) by which P29 affects the trafficking and degradation of JHE. To do this she will use both the tobacco hornworm Manduca sexta and the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster in experiments designed to determine the intracellular location of P29, and the location of interaction of P29 with JHE. The specific functions of P29 with respect to JHE will then be elucidated by using mutant lines of D. melanogaster and RNA interference to prevent the interaction of the two proteins. The effects of disruption of P29 binding to JHE on the clearance and turnover of JHE will be observed. New knowledge about the nature and function of P29 will enhance our knowledge of protein trafficking and could facilitate development of novel approaches to insect pest control.