Biochemical and cytological survey of tyrosine storage proteins in coleoptera: diversity of strategies

Abstract Storage of aromatic amino acids for the supply of adult needs was investigated in pupae of 15 species covering 10 families of Coleoptera. The main features of the storage strategies in the order were: (1) in nymphs of Coleoptera, tyrosine is stored as proteins which may be either of the soluble form (arylphorin type) or of different insoluble forms [insoluble tyrosine-rich protein (TRP) types]. (2) from their electrophoretic mobilities and their amino acid compositions, insoluble TRP may be classified in at least three distinct classes (tyrostaurins, TRP1 and TRP2). (3) protein storage occurs mainly in fat body granules that can be histologically classified in at least five classes. (4) it appeared that no clear general correlation could be found between either phylogeny, biochemical or histological characterisations of these insoluble tyrosine-rich storage proteins, suggesting “recent” divergence in regard to this physiological character.