Embryo lipoproteins and yolk lipovitellin consumption during embryogenesis in Macrobrachium borellii (Crustacea: Palaemonidae)

The prawn Macrobrachium borellii has lecithotrophic eggs with highly-abbreviated development. The major yolk component is lipovitellin (LV), a lipoprotein with 30% lipids (by weight). LV consumption during embryogenesis was followed by ELISA and Western blot analysis using an anti-LV polyclonal antibody. No cross-reacting proteins were observed and LV-like lipoproteins were strongly recognized by the antibody in hemolymph (vitellogenin), yolk (LV) and embryos (LVe), as determined by Western Blot analysis. LV decreased significantly along development from 9.4 to 1.1 µg/mg egg. Consumption rate of LV was slow in early embryogenesis, followed by a rapid utilization in late embryonic stages. Significant LVe amounts were still present at hatching. LV apolipoproteins were selectively degraded during embryo development, being the highest molecular weight subunit the most affected. Comparison among in vitro, in vivo and theoretical proteolysis suggested that trypsin may be involved in LV degradation during late embryogenesis. Embryo lipoprotein (HDLe) synthesis was first detected at stage 6. HDLe shared the same density, MW and subunit composition as adult hemolymph HDL1 and did not cross-react with LV-like lipoproteins. Though expressed at low concentration, it fulfilled embryo needs for lipid transport among organs.