Analysis of Galleria mellonella hemolymph proteins profile after metalloproteinase immune challenge

A comparison of the 2D gels of the metalloproteinase-immunized and control insects showed that elastase B and thermolysin were responsible for changes in the pattern of hemolymph proteins/peptides of Galleria mellonella larvae. It was found that the amount of apolp-III and lysozyme increased in response to injection of elastase B and thermolysin. Approximately 11 newly synthesized proteins/peptides were detected after metalloproteinase injection. We also observed that certain peptides were up-regulated depending on the metalloproteinases used. Some proteins/peptides which were present in the metalloproteinase-challenged larvae were absent in the hemolymph from the non-treated control larvae. They may be degradation products of hemolymph proteins treated with metalloproteinases.