The urea-soluble low molecular weight cuticle proteins from the different developmental stages of Dacus oleae

Abstract

The cuticle proteins of the insect Dacus oleae have been isolated by extraction with a solution of 7 M urea. The affinity properties of cuticle proteins, isolated from the third instar larvae (L₃DCPs 1–7), to chitin have been studied. Purified cuticle antigens were polymerized by glutaraldehyde and used for raising antibodies. The developmental appearance of the cuticle proteins has been studied by two-dimensional electrophoresis