박각시 나방 (Agrius convolvuli)의 표피에 존재하는 생체방어체제에 대한 연구

Agriusin is cecropin D-like antibacterial peptide previously isolated from the larval hemolymph of Agrius convolvuli immunized against E. coli. Antibacterial activity of agriusin was detected in the immunized hemolymph and integument. Therefore, we produced an antibody of agriusin using a synthetic agriusin 1 in order to determine whether it was existed in the immunized integument. Western blotting analysis reveled that agriusin was present at the immunized hemolymph, but not in the immunized integument. Interestingly, agriusin like proteins (44kDa, 21kDa) were present at the infected integument of A. convolvuli and they were observed in inner epicuticle. These results suggest that agriusin like proteins plays an important role in host defense in the A. convolvuli integument.