Temporal expression of ornithine decarboxylase in developing embryos of Musca domestica

Abstract

The objective of this study was to partially characterize and follow the temporal expression of the enzyme ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) throughout embryonic and early larval development of Musca dornestica. Enzymatically active ODC was shown to be present at detectable levels in the embryos only during the latter stages of embryogenesis. This temporally expressed enzyme displayed maximum activity at the time of hatching, and the activity rapidly declined in the newly hatched larvae. The half-life of ODC activity in extracts at the time of hatching and 30 min after hatching was 57 min and 12 min, respectively. The subunit molecular weight of the embryonic ODC was determined to be 46,000, and the apparent native molecular weight was determined to be 276,000. The concentrations of the polyamines putrescine, spermidine, and spermine also were determined throughout embryogenesis. Spermidine was found to be present in the embryos at about 10-fold higher concentrations than spermine and at about 100-fold higher concentrations than putrescine.These polyamines did not undergo major changes in concentration throughout development of the embryos.

Age and tissue‐dependent changes of ornithine decarboxylase and s‐adenosylmethionine decarboxylase activities in neural tissue and fat body of adult crickets

“…Although our knowledge of polyamine metabolism is well documented in vertebrates, only a few reports on this subject have appeared involving insects. ODC activity was examined during embryogenesis of Calliphora er*ytkrocephnla [16] and Mrrscfl doniesticn [17]. Some other studies were also performed on homogenates of Drosophiln larvae [18] and in nervous tissue and fat body during the larva-pupal development of Mizrzducn sexfn I191 as well as in pupal tissues from fiyaloyhom cecropia [20].…”

Cloning and molecular characterization of an ornithine decarboxylase gene and its expression during embryonic development of the housefly, Musca domestica

“…Collection of eggs was done as described by Sparks et al (1991). After either a 30-min or 15-min oviposition period, the eggs were removed from the cage (designated time zero) and incubated at 301C.…”

“…It has been shown in other species that polyamines are required for egg cleavage and gastrulation (Emanuelsson and Heby, 1978;Kusunoki and Yasumasu, 1978;Heby and Emanuelsson, 1980) as well as vitellogenesis and metamorphosis (Wyatt et al, 1973;Birnbaum et al, 1988). In houseflies, previous studies have demonstrated that while total polyamine levels remain essentially unchanged in developing embryos, ODC activity is temporally regulated throughout embryogenesis, with its activity peaking only late in embryonic development Sparks et al, 1991;Vaske, 1992). Similarly, in D. melanogaster embryos, ODC activity occurs only late in embryogenesis (Birnbaum and Gilbert, 1990).…”