Abstract: 【Aim】 Ubiquitin regulatory X (UBX) domain-containing proteins function as cofactors of p97/CDC48 which is involved in multiple ubiquitin-related processes including protein degradation through the ubiquitin-proteasome system and homotypic membrane fusion. Our study aims to clone the UBX domain-containing protein gene from Locusta migratoria manilensis, and to analyze its expression patterns in different tissues and at different developmental stages, so as to provide the foundation for further function research. 【Methods】 A transcriptome database for L. migratoria manilensis was mined through bioinformatic analysis. Gene expression levels were analyzed in different tissues of L. migratoria manilensis adults and at different developmental stages using real-time PCR. 【Results】 A UBX domain-containing protein gene was identified, and named LmUBX2. The open reading frame (ORF) encodes a protein of 339 amino acids with a predicted molecular weight of 37.8 kDa and a theoretical pI of 6.03. BLAST analysis showed that it shares 37%-64% amino acid sequence identities to other UBX domain-containing proteins. LmUBX2 possesses a conserved N-terminal UBA domain and a C-terminal UBX domain. Sequence comparison and phylogenetic analysis revealed that LmUBX2 is a member of the SAKS1 subfamily. Gene expression analysis results showed that LmUBX2 was expressed during the whole life cycle, and highly expressed in ovary and testis. 【Conclusion】 These findings suggest that LmUBX2  might be involved in multiple physiological processes of L. migratoria manilensis. Especially, LmUBX2 might be related to the reproduction of L. migratoria manilensis, although further research needs to be performed to confirm this correlation.

Key words: Locusta migratoria manilensis, UBX domain-containing protein; LmUBX2, gene cloning, expression pattern