Shotgun proteomic analysis of the caterpillar Lonomia obliqua (Lepitoptera, Saturniidae) hemolymph and effects in rat hippocampal neurons culture

Study of substances with potentially neuroprotective has been one of the research focus on drugs development. Toxic proteins of Lonomia obliqua caterpillars, which have caused several accidents in southern Brazil, were identified in the hemolymph with anti-apoptotic activity. This study aims the evaluation of the protein profile and the hemolymph effect on cell viability of rats’ primary cultured hippocampal neurons after apoptosis induction. Semi-quantitative shotgun proteomics approach was used to evaluate the protein profile of 3 caterpillars lots of different origin. Were identified a total of 76 proteins, 71 in hemolymph and 40 in fractions. Antiviral protein predominated in crude hemolymph, following by serine proteases, hemolins and protease inhibitors. In fractions were identified hemolins, serine proteases and protease inhibitors. The treatment of rats’ primary cultured hippocampal neurons with the chromatographic fraction at concentration of 0.05 and 0.10% (v/v) for 24 hours, with subsequently apoptosis induction was able to maintain cell viability significantly higher than positive control. Hemolymph protein composition can show qualitative and quantitative variations intra species when compared different origins animals and consequently exposed to various environmental factors. The results shown on this study may contribute to the identification of proteins with potential use as neuroprotective in degenerative conditions.