Contents of nucleic and amino acids and rate of protein synthesis in developing flight muscles of Locusta migratoria

Abstract

1. 1. Changes in the contents of DNA, RNA, free amino acids (FAA) and protein as well as in the rate of protein synthesis in vivo were measured in the developing flight muscles of Locustamigratoria.

2. 2. The DNA concentration rises temporarily at the end of the last larval instar, possibly in relation to the process of tracheolization.

3. 3. RNA content rises considerably until day 6 after the terminal ecdysis and thereupon decreases steadily.

4. 4. Among the amino acids taurine changes the most drastically, raising its contribution to the FAA pool from 6.5 to finally 39 mol%.

5. 5. Rates of protein synthesis are significantly higher in adults than in larvae. The synthesis remains relatively high even after completion of muscle development.