Host-transplant Interactions in Biosynthesis of Drosophila Pteridines

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Abstract
The isoxanthopterin deficiency of the mutant sepiaoid is a non-autonomous character. Non-autonomous changes in the level of isoxanthopterin are correlated with changes in three other pteridine fractions. A sepiaoid host is able to normalize the red pigments in implanted eyes of the mutant rosy, but does not repair its isoxanthopterin defect. The reaction of other pteridines to drosopterin formation can thus be separately observed. While isoxanthopterin synthesis may generally be host dependent, its retention in the imago is autonomous. Wild-type eyes maintain their pteridine levels in a white host that excretes its own fluorescent materials. Compression of the testis by numerous eye transplants diminishes its isoxanthopterin storage. The surplus of diffusible precursors leads to increased deposition in host eyes and eye-transplants.