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Pulse-labeling experiments of salivary glands from the prepupal stages of development showed selectively high rates of synthesis of a set of low molecular weight proteins (6K-12K). These proteins are stably maintained in the salivary glands during prepupal development and are subsequently transported to the pupation fluid (found between the pupal case and the prepupal cuticle) when pupation occurs. These small polypeptides are very basic with the major components having isoelectric points of 8.6-8.7 and the minor components having isoelectric points of 9.1-9.5. This study shows the continuing function of the salivary glands-specifically, the synthesis and secretion of a set of proteins with a putative role in pupation.

No abstract