A non-sex-specific hemolymph lipoprotein from the white shrimp Penaeus vannamei boone. Isolation and partial characterization

A procedure was designed to isolate a lipoprotein (Lp) from the hemolymph of juveniles of the white shrimp, Penaeus vannamei Boone, using two high-speed ultracentrifugation steps. The lipoprotein fraction presented a buoyant density of 1.1-1.17g/ml with a peak at 1.14 g/ml. The isolated Lp corresponds to 0.93 and 0.73% of the total female and male hemolymph protein content, respectively. The Lp from males and females consisted of an apoprotein with an apparent molecular weight of 98 kDa as was shown by electrophoresis under denaturing and reducing conditions and it is a glycoprotein that contains mannose. In the hemolymph of both males and females one main native form of the Lp was found. The isoelectric point of the Lp was 5.81, but minor forms of different isoelectric points were also found.