The German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.), is the principal domiciliary cockroach species in the US. It produces several human allergens that are responsible for allergic disease and asthma. Bla g 4 is a lipocalin of unknown function that has been hypothesized to function as an odorant carrier protein. We conducted studies on tissue localization of Bla g 4 gene expression, protein distribution, and endocrine regulation. Northern blot and in situ hybridization showed that Bla g 4 is sex-specific, only being produced in the adult male reproductive system. Recombinant Bla g 4 (MW ~ 30,000 Dalton) was used to produce polyclonal antibodies in New Zealand white rabbits and an antibody-capture ELISA was developed and used to quantify Bla g 4 levels in tissues. Our results show that Bla g 4 is found only in the utricles and the conglobate (phallic) gland of the male accessory reproductive system. During copulation Bla g 4 is depleted in the male and translocated to the female within the spermatophore. Immunocytochemical studies to localize Bla g 4 within tissues, gene expression studies, and investigations of the role of juvenile hormone in regulation of Bla g 4 are underway.
Species 1: Blattodea Blattellidae Blattella germanica (German cockroach)
Keywords: allergen
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