4개의 biliverdin 결합단백질이 담배나방의 종령유충 혈림프로부터 확인되었고 두번의 밀도차를 달리한 KBr 밀도구배 초원심분리와 EPLC anion exchange chromatography를 이용해서 그 중 하나를 정제하고 BP-1이라 이름지었다. 모든 biliverdin 결합단백질은 150kDa의 소단위체로 구성되어 있었으며 gel filtration을 이용해 측정한 native 분자량은 320kDa로 이들은 이합체 단백질일 것으로 추정된다. BP-1은 종령유충의 섭식이 끝난 후 48시간경부터 지방체로 흡수되기 시작하였으며 용기간 내내 지방체내에 저장이 되었다. biliverdin 결합단백질은 지방체에서 합성이 되었으며 그 합성시기는 유충시기에만 국한되었다.
Four biliverdin-binding proteins (BPs) were identified in the larval hemolymph of the oriental tobacco budworm, Helicoverpa assulta. Among them, one biliverdin-binding protein (BP-1) was purified by ultracentrifugations with different density gradient and FPLC anion exchange chromatography. All BPs were composed of subunits of 150 kDa and their native molecular weights were estimated as 320 kDa by EPLC gel filtration chromatography. Thus, the native BP molecule was assumed to be a dimer. In Western blotting experiment, it was found that BP-1 is taken up to fat body 48 hours after last larva stops feeding and stored during pupation. The BP was synthesized in fat body and the synthesis time was confined to larval stage.
