An apolipophorin III protein from the hemolymph of desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria

Apolipophorin III (apoLp-III) from insects and apolipoprotein A-I from humans, are major component of the lipoprotein and share various properties. ApoLp-III is an abundant hemolymph protein. Besides its crucial role in lipid transport, apoLp-III is able to associate with fungal and bacterial membranes and stimulate cellular immune responses. ApoLp-III was isolated and purified from the hemolymph of desert locust Schistocerca gregaria by ion-exchange and reversed-phase chromatography. The purity and the molecular weight of apoLp-III were determined at ∼19,000 Da by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. According to similarities in the amino terminal sequence, molar mass and retention on reversed-phase analytical HPLC column, this protein is a Schistocerca gregaria homologue of Locusta migratoria apoLp-III.