Purification of proctolin-binding proteins from the foregut of the insect Blaberus craniifer

Abstract

A membrane protein that specifically binds the insect neuropeptide proctolin was purified using standard chromatography from cockroach foregut membranes. Proctolin-binding sites were efficiently solubilized with either the nonionic detergent digitonin or the zwitterionic detergent Chaps, as indicated by the specific binding of 3H-proctolin to solubilized samples. A solubilized sample obtained from 1600 foregut membranes was subjected to a five-step chromatographic purification including chromatofocusing, anion- exchange and size-exclusion chromatographies. The final size-exclusion separation resulted in the isolation of ≃ 100 pmol of purified proctolin- binding proteins, eluting as a single peak at ≃ 74 kDa. Analysis of the purified sample using SDS/PAGE and silver staining showed two bands at 80 kDa and 76 kDa. Densitometric analysis of the gel indicated that each band contained ≃ 7-8 μg of protein, suggesting that one band corresponds to the proctolin-binding activity. Proctolin-binding proteins were thus purified 1800-fold using standard chromatography.