Characterization of the common bed bug's eggshell and egg glue proteins

Abstract

An insect egg is one of the most vulnerable stages of insect life, and the evolutionary success of a species depends on the eggshell protecting the embryo and the egg glue securing the attachment. The common bed bug (Cimex lectularius), notorious for its painful and itchy bites, infests human dwellings to feed on blood. They are easier to find these days as they adapt to develop resistance against commonly used insecticides. In this study, we identify and characterize the eggshell protein and the probable egg glue protein (i.e. keratin associated protein 5-10 like protein) of the bed bug by using mass spectrometry and bioinformatics analysis. Furthermore, by using transcription profiling and in vivo RNA interference, we show evidences that the keratin associated protein 5-10 like protein functions as the glue protein. Finally, structural characterizations on the two proteins are performed using recombinant proteins. Amino acid sequences of various insect eggshell and egg glue proteins support their independent evolution among different insect groups. Hence, inhibiting the function of these proteins related to the earliest stage of life can achieve species-specific population control. In this respect, our results would be a starting point in developing new ways to control bed bug population.