Apolipophorin-Ⅲ (apoLp-Ⅲ) is a hemolymph protein whose function is to facilitate lipid transport in an aqueous medium in insect. Recently, apolipophorin-Ⅲ in Galleria mellonella and Hyphantria cunea was shown to play an unexpected role in insect immune activation. We show here a novel possible function/role of apoLp-Ⅲ in insects. To investigate the genes which have a relationship with apoLp-Ⅲ in fall webworm larvae, we reduction of endogenous Hc apoLp-Ⅲ mRNA levels in larvae via RNA interference (RNAi). The RNAi-mediated Hc apoLp-Ⅲ reduction resulted in the reduction of antioxidants, like MnSOD, catalase, and glutathione S transferase as well as immune proteins. In particular, expression of MnSOD commonly decreased in fat body, midgut, and hemocytes following the knockdown of Hc apoLp-Ⅲ, which induced an elevated level of superoxide anion in H. cunea larvae. The observed effect of Hc apoLp-Ⅲ RNAi suggests that Hc apoLp-Ⅲ is related to the action/expression of antioxidants.

• Hong Ja Kim(Division of Applied Life Science(BK21 program), Gyeongsang National University)
• Young Jin Kang(Department of Pharmacology, Yeungnam University)
• Yong Min Kwon(Division of Applied Life Science(BK21 program), Gyeongsang National University)
• Yong Il Kim(Division of Applied Life Science(BK21 program), Gyeongsang National University)
• In Hee Lee(Department of Life Science, Hoseo University)
• Byung Rae Jin(College of Natural Resources and Life Science, Dong-A University)
• Yeon Soo Han(Department of Agricultural Biology, Chonnam National University)
• Hyang Mi Cheon(Southern Forest Research Center, Korea Forest Research Institute)
• Nam Gyu Ha(Agricultural Experiment and Research Bureau, Gyeongnam, Agricultural Research and Extension Services)
• Sook Jae Seo(Division of Applied Life Science(BK21 program), Gyeongsang National University)