THE ROLE OF THE GONADOTROPIC HORMONE IN THE SYNTHESIS OF PROTEIN AND RNA IN RHODNIUS PROLIXUS (HEMIPTERA)

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

1. The hormone of the corpus allatum in Rhodnius prolixus, as well as in many other insects, has been found to be necessary for the deposition of yolk to occur in the growing oocytes of the ovary. Experiments were conducted with Rhodnius to test the hypothesis that this gonadotropic action is exercised by controlling protein synthesis in the insect.

2. Autoradiographic studies of the incorporation of tritium-labeled precursors into DNA, RNA, and protein were undertaken on decapitated bugs that had the corpus allatum removed, and on decapitated controls that retained the gland.

3. The hormone appeared to have little or no effect on DNA synthesis, but allatectomized bugs showed a drastic inhibition of RNA and protein synthesis in all tissues studied.

4. It is not clear whether the hormone has a direct or an indirect action on protein synthesis.