Microplitis croceipes teratocytes: in vitro culture and biological activity of teratocyte secreted protein

Teratocytes originate from the dissociation of the extraembryonic serosal membrane in some Braconidae and Scelionidae. Methods used to culture teratocytes in vitro are described and the yield of teratocyte secreted proteins (TSP) was measured. Although 90% are viable after 6 days, in vitro teratocytes reached only half the diameter (32 μm) of the same age teratocytes obtained in vivo. Teratocytes cultured in vitro secrete as much as 0.7 μg of protein per day per larval equivalent (≈900 cells). Presence of parasitoid larvae enhanced teratocyte viability while periodic exchange of medium did not. However, medium exchange significantly increased the total amount of protein secreted. Size and viability were improved with the addition of 10% FBS to the Ex-cell 400 culture medium. Non-denaturing PAGE showed at least 15 proteins with molecular sizes estimated to be between 24 to 347 kDa in medium containing teratocytes. An in vitro fat body assay was developed to measure the effect of TSP on protein synthesis and juvenile hormone esterase (JHE) activity. Crude TSP inhibited in vitro incorporation of [ 35S]-methionine into protein synthesized by the fat body. The amount of JHE released from in vitro fat body treated with crude TSP was significantly less than controls, most likely caused by the inhibition of general protein synthesis. The active fraction of TSP passed through a 30 kDa molecular weight cutoff filter but was retained by a 3 kDa filter. SDS-PAGE revealed four proteins with molecular weights between 8 and 20 kDa not present in control medium incubated without teratocytes.