Complete sequence, expression and evolution of two members of the hexamerin protein family during the larval development of the rice moth, Corcyra cephalonica

Three distinct types of storage hexamerins are expressed in the "last-instar" larvae of the rice moth, Corcyra cephalonica. A cDNA expression library was constructed from fat body-RNA and screened with a polyclonal antibody raised against purified hexamerin (SP2) of Corcyra cephalonica. Two slightly different "full-length" hexamerin cDNA clones (Hex2a and Hex2b) were isolated and sequenced. Both include open reading frames of 2109 bp which are translated into polypeptides of 703 amino acids with 92.5% identity. Signal peptides of 19 amino acids are present at the N-termini. The 684 amino acids native proteins have a high content of aryl groups (17.6%). According to both the criteria for ami…