Partial characterization of three hemolymph proteins of Penaeus semisulcatus de haan (crustacea, decapoda, penaeidae) and their specific antibodies

1. 1. LP1, a high density lipoprotein common to both sexes of the penaeid shrimp Penaeus semisulcatus was isolated as the upper yellow-brown layer resulting from ultracentrifugation of male hemolymph. The hemolymph solution was adjusted to a hydrated density of 1.2 g/ml. A similar HDL fraction was isolated from the hemolymph of vitellogenic females containing, in addition to the LP1, the female-specific lipoprotein vitellogenin (Vg). 2. 2. Hemocyanin (Hcy), the oxygen carrier of crustaceans was isolated as pellet, resulting from the same ultracentrifugation. Hcy was identified by its blue color, its copper content and its characteristic absorbance spectrum. It is the most abundant hemolymph protein, and is composed of two major subunits of 85 and 95 kD. 3. 3. Polyclonal antibodies were raised in rabbits against Hcy and LP1. The antisera were found to be specific and no crossreaction was observed between them and an anti-Vg/Vt serum prepared during earlier studies. All three antisera proved to be suitable research tools for the identification of these three physiologically important proteins (Vg, LP1, Hcy).