SYNTHESIS AND TRANSFER OF DNA, RNA, AND PROTEIN DURING VITELLOGENESIS IN RHODNIUS PROLIXUS (HEMIPTERA)

¹ Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York

1. Histochemical and autoradiographic techniques were applied to Rhodinus prolixus during vitellogenesis.

2. Examination of the ovary, fat body, and midgut demonstrated that DNA was synthesized exclusively in the nuclei of these tissues. There appeared to be a transfer of some of the DNA in a partially depolymerized form from the trophic tissues of the ovary to the growing oocyte.

3. RNA was synthesized in the nuclei of the ovary, fat body, and midgut, and subsequently was transferred to the cytoplasm of these tissues. Some of the newly synthesized RNA passed from the trophic tissues of the ovary to the enlarging oocyte.

4. Protein was found to be synthesized most actively in the follicular epithelial tissues of the ovary, and in the fat body. Evidence of protein synthesis was also found in the other regions of the ovary, and in the midgut. The passage of newly synthesized protein from the follicular epithelium into the oocyte was noted. Synthesis of yolk protein by the oocyte itself appeared to be negligible.