Prostaglandin biosynthesis by fat body from larvae of the beetle Zophobas atratus

Abstract

We describe prostaglandin (PG) biosynthesis by microsomal-enriched fractions of fat body prepared from larvae of the tenebrionid beetle, Zophobas atratus. PG biosynthesis was sensitive to incubation time, temperature, pH, substrate and protein concentration. Optimal PG biosynthesis conditions of those we examined included 2 mg of microsomal-enriched protein, incubated at 22 degrees C for 2 min at pH 6. These preparations yielded four major PGs: PGA(2), PGE(2), PGD(2) and PGF(2 alpha). PGA(2) and PGF(2 alpha) were the predominant eicosanoids produced under these conditions. Two non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, indomethacin and naproxen, effectively inhibited PG biosynthesis in low concentrations. In vitro PG biosynthetic reaction conditions, using vertebrate or invertebrate enzyme sources, usually include a cocktail of reaction co-factors. The Z. atratus preparation similarly performs better in the presence of co-factors. Arch.

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“…The role and function of PGs as an autocrine or paracrine signal has been more extensively studied in mammals, mediating a variety of physiological processes in the body such as sleep, pain, immunity, and metabolism [50]. Recent studies have revealed that PGs (PGA2, PGD2, PGE2, PGF2α, and PGI2) are not exclusive to mammals and are successively being detected in insect species [51], of which PG A2, PG D2, PG E2, and PG F2α have been reported to be synthesized during microsomal preparations of larval fat bodies and blood cells [52,53]. As in mammals, PGs also play important functions in regulating various physiological processes in insects similar to those similar in mammals, such as influencing egg-laying behavior [54] and mediating cellular immune responses [55].…”