Purification and localization of p10, a novel protein that increases in nymphal regenerating legs of Periplaneta americana (American cockroach)

Content of a protein with a molecular mass of 10 kDa (p10) was found to increase significantly in regenerating legs of the American cockroach (Periplaneta americana). This protein was purified to homogeneity from a homogenate of regenerating legs. Partial amino acid sequencing indicated that p10 is a novel protein. Immunoblotting showed that its content in regenerating legs was 30 times that in normal legs, and decreased significantly when leg regeneration was complete. An immunofluorescence study revealed that p10 localizes exclusively on the external side of newly formed epidermis of regenerating legs.