Genetic characterization of the peptidases of Polistes versicolor (Hymenoptera: Vespidae)

Abstract

Starch gel electrophoresis with L-leucyl-β-naphthylamide as substrate revealed five aminopeptidases in extracts of Polistes versicolor. These enzymes are presumably products of five structural gene loci. All but Lap 1 aminopeptidases exhibited differential distribution in the developmental stages and in the tissues. Five dipeptidases were revealed with different dipeptides. These enzymes exhibited significant differences in their substrate preferences, but a more homogeneous distribution throughout ontogenetic developmental stages than did aminopeptidases. Electrophoretic variants of Lap 4 and PepA 2 were detected and although a low intralocus heterozygosity was found due to the low frequency of these variants, phenotypical segregation observed at these loci in pupae extracts of some colonies points to the occurrence of more than one egglaying female. Otherwise, the detection of Lap 4 allozyme restricted to nests of one area suggests low dispersion ability of the adults of Polistes versicolor.

Leucine-aminopeptidase A (LAP-A) Encoding Gene in Apoidea: from Genomic Identification to Functional Insights Based on Gene Expression

“…Our data demonstrate that LAP-A is a ubiquitously expressed gene at transcriptional level, with potential functions in many Apoidea species. It is postulated that, in addition to the digestive role, aminopeptidases have metabolic roles, such as the regulation of circulating concentrations of amino acids and peptides in the body, maintenance of osmotic stability and delivery of amino acids for protein anabolism (see Del Lama & Ferreira, 2003). Also, LAP-A plays roles in the regulation of synthesis and degradation of intracellular proteins (protein turnover) (Miller, 1987;Yen et al, 1980;Bartling et al, 1992).…”

“…The activity of a single aminopeptidase was observed in the gut extract of the bee Scaptotrigona bipunctata (Lepeletier) (Schumaker et al, 1993). In the wasp Polistes versicolor (Olivier), five aminopeptidases were found during the development of males and females (Del Lama & Ferreira, 2003). Aminopeptidases were also identified in 14 species of bees (Apis mellifera L., Melipona quadrifasciata Lepeletier, Melipona quinquefasciata Lepeletier, Melipona marginata Lepeletier, Melipona bicolor bicolor Lepeletier (earlier named Melipona nigra Lepeletier), Melipona scutellaris Latreille, Melipona rufiventris Lepeletier, Scaptotrigona xanthotricha Moure, Scaptotrigona postica Latreille, Scaptotrigona bipunctata (Lepeletier), Nannotrigona testaceicornis (Lepeletier), Schwarziana quadripunctata (Lepeletier), Plebeia droryana (Friese) and Friesella schrottkyi (Friese)).…”