[PS02-11] Suppression of phenoloxidase activity by a serpin 27A-like protein from Drino inconspicuoides (Diptera: Tachinidae)
Various lepidopteran pests could be parasitized by Drino inconspicuoides (Diptera: Tachinidae), such as Mythimna separata (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). We found that once D. inconspicuoides parasitizes M. separata, the tachinid larvae suppress the phenoloxidase (PO) activity of the host. A comprehensive gene expression analysis of D. inconspicuoides larvae revealed that a serpin 27A-like protein was expressed in salivary glands, suggesting that the serpin plays a key role to suppress the PO activity. To verify the functionality of this protein , we expressed the protein of approximately 45 kDa size by E. coli and baculovirus expression systems. Compared to BSA proteins, the serpin suppressed significantly PO activity in hemolymph of M. separata. This results implies that the serpin 27A-like protein has a potential to be used as novel lepidopteran pest control agent.