Identification and Characterization of Juvenile Hormone Affinity Chromatography Purified Proteins

Juvenile hormones (JHs) are known to control growth, development and reproduction in all insects. JH analogs play an important part in integrated pest management. The molecular modes of action of JH have yet to be fully elucidated. While several genes shown to be important for physiological responses to JH have been determined, a definitive signaling pathway has yet to be fully described. One step to further understanding JH signaling is to characterize proteins that bind directly to this hormone. JH interacting proteins from Drosophila S2 cells were captured through affinity chromatography and then identified using mass spectrometry and peptide mass fingerprinting. Over 100 proteins specifically bound to the stable JH analog column were identified. Proteins were then characterized utilizing the wealth of information from many Drosophila databases. Gene ontology analysis showed processes in agreement with the known actions of JH including development, reproduction and morphogenesis. The identified proteins were primarily localized in the cytoplasm (42.5%) and nucleus (15.8%). A protein-protein interaction network was created using the Drosophila Interactions Database. Understanding JH signaling is essential to deciphering the underlying mechanisms of insect metamorphosis and developing new biorational insecticides with greater selectivity and lower risks to humans, wildlife and the environment.