Protein and Nucleic Acid Changes During Growth and Aging in the Mosquito

Abstract

1. Mosquito samples from the entire life span including senescence were analysed for weight, protein, RNA and DNA. 2. The results for each component indicate that maximal values are attained during larval development. No changes were observed during metamorphosis or the adult period. 3. The peak concentration of RNA and DNA was reached on the third day larval age. Protein content and weight were highest on the sixth day. 4. Except for the first 2 days of larval life the DNA/protein ratio was constant. Hence protein content is an index of cell number for this organism. 5. The distribution of the different biochemical components was determined in different body regions and in subcellular fractions. A high concentration of DNA was found in the soluble fraction of larval but not adult homogenates.

The influence of temperature and thermal history on total RNA, DNA and protein levels of the house fly Musca domestica

“…la). This is in agreement with the results of Lang et al (1965) for the mosquito Aedes aegypti. DNA levels were first observed in the late second-instar of Musca domestica and averaged 0.60 pg/mg DW/fly (Table 1).…”

“…Lang et al (1965) correlated the loss in nucleic acids with the decrease in weight and suggested that the DNA and RNA curves paralleled the weight curve. As in Tenebrio (Patterson 1957), both nucleic acids reached their highest levels earlier than did total protein.…”

“…Analysis of the nucleic acids in the mosquito, Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae), by Lang et al (1965) demonstrated that beginning with the second day of larvel developments both RNA and DNA rise rapidly to a maximum and then fall off from the late larval stages to the adult stage by approximately 50%. Lang et al (1965) correlated the loss in nucleic acids with the decrease in weight and suggested that the DNA and RNA curves paralleled the weight curve.…”

Age Modifies the Effect of Body Size on Fecundity inCulex quinquefasciatusSay (Diptera: Culicidae)

“…Another possible explanation for our results might be a decline in protein reserves brought about by the sugar-only diet of the females prior to blood feeding (Lang et al 1965). If protein reserves are totally exhausted, then they cannot positively influence fecundity.…”

RNA-DNA ratios as indicators of short-term growth in channel catfish

“…In arthropods a similar relationship was found (Devi et al, 1963;Lang et al, 1965;Sutcliffe, 1965;Church and Robertson, 1966). Sutcliffe (1970) summarized such of this nucleic acid growth work with microorganisms and invertebrates and suggested that Munro and Gray's (1969) work with mam mals could be interpreted as a function of growth.…”