[Inhibition and induction of protein syntheses by actinomycin in the growing oocytes ofMusca domestica]

[RNA-Synthesis in telotrophic meroistic ovarioles of dysdercus intermedius DIST. (heteroptera, pyrrhoc.)]

RNA in insect ovaries was investigated by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to study site of synthesis, transportation and incorporation in mature eggs. Telotrophic-meroistic ovarioles ofDysdercus intermedius were selected for this work since they could be dissected in distinct portions: the apical one with polyploid nurse cells and the vitellarium with oocytes covered by a follicular epithelium. RNA was labeled by injecting radioactive precursors or incubating isolated ovarioles in vitro.In nurse cells labeled rRNA, tRNA and non-ribosomal RNA were found and evidence was presented for the processing of a 39s rRNA precursor molecule in 2 steps (36s and 32s) into 28s rRNA while the 18s rRNA was directly derived from the 36s molecule. A low concentration (0.5 Μg/ml) of α-Amanitin inhibited synthesis of non-ribosomal RNA thereby revealing a more distinct processing pattern for rRNA, while a high concentration (5 Μg/ml) blocked processing at the 36s molecule and led to its accumulation. Appropriate concentrations of Actinomycin D inhibited rRNA synthesis while distinct peaks of non-ribosomal RNA became apparent.RNA synthesized in the follicular cells was similar to the RNA made in the nurse cells only in the high molecular weight RNA. Some material, tentatively named "nucleotide fraction", with a mobility higher than tRNA was detected and could be localized in yolk granules. It was separable from RNA by chromatography on Sephadex G 100 and had an absorption maximum at 255 run. The "nucleotide fraction" could be rapidly labeled. It seemed to be utilized in RNA synthesis during embryogenesis. Mature eggs contained a relatively high amount of the "nucleotide fraction". If a single injection with precursor was done 4 days before analysing the RNA of mature eggs most of the label was found in the "nucleotide fraction". Eggs collected 5-8 days after injection contained only high molecular labeled RNA. This observation correlated well with the timing of egg maturation. It takes 4 days for a group of oocytes to reach the distal part of the vitellarium where yolk production and maturation go on for another 4 days. It is apparent, therefore, that the follicular epithelium contributes the "nucleotide fraction" to the oocyte, while most of the other RNA, including a stable polydisperse class of RNA, is made in the nurse cells and is transported into the oocyte.

[Autoradiographic Studies on RNA and Protein Synthesis in the Early Embryogenesis ofMusca domestica]

1) ³H-Uridine incorporation into the RNA of eggs ofMusca domestica was measured by means of autoradiography. In addition, protein synthesis was studied by measuring incorporation of³H-amino acids. 2) The onset of embryonic RNA synthesis was found to occur after the 10. division of the cleavage nuclei. 3) Protein synthesis occurs in mature oocytes as well as in freshly laid eggs. The rate of synthesis in fertilized eggs begins to increase when the cleavage nuclei penetrate the periplasma. At the end of blastodermal development, the rate of protein synthesis reaches a value which remains constant until differentiation of the germ layers. Immediately after deposition of the eggs, the rate of incorporation of³H-amino acids is higher in unfertilized eggs than in fertilized ones. 4) At oviposition the radioactivity is uniformly distributed over the whole egg. During further development more radioactivity is accumulated in the periplasm than in the inner part of the egg. Already before penetration of the cleavage nuclei, a higher rate of protein synthesis is observed in the posterior pole-plasm than in any other part of the periplasm. 5) Immediately before the beginning of organogenesis, a region specific incorporation of³H-amino acids into nuclei can be observed. 6) The rÔle of the maternal RNA in protein synthesis in the developing egg as well as its rÔle in the determination of certain egg regions (especially of the posterior pole-plasm) is discussed. The beginning of RNA synthesis and the simultaneous increase in the rate of protein synthesis are interpreted as processes of embryonic differentiation. It is assumed that the maternal RNA stored in the pole-plasm has a determinative function.

[Synthesis of haemolymph proteine and the uptake of the yolk fraction in the oocyte during Actinomycin-treatment. (Studies onMusca domestica)]

By means of radioautographic and electrophoretic techniques yolk protein uptake in the growing oocytes ofMusca domestica was investigated. After 30 min yolk protein becomes visible in the radioautograms. By stainability and labeling the yolk fraction could be demonstrated in the pherogram of ovary and haemolymph in an intermediate developmental stage (stage 3). After the end of vitellogenesis it does not appear in the haemolymph. The yolk protein uptake is inhibited by Actinomycin, but the synthesis goes on nearly as normal. This inhibition can be interpretated as a new accessory effect of Actinomycin.