Occurrence and metabolism of scylloinositol in the locust

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Scylloinositol has been identified as a component of locust [Schistocerca gregaria] hae-molymph, where it occurs in concentrations of 0.2-0.4 mg/ml. A simple method for the identification of scylloinositol is described. This has been used to demonstrate the presence of scylloinositol in 5 other insect species. Locust phospholipids contain myoinositol but no scylloinositol. Radioactivity from [C14]glucose is incorporated into myoinositol and scylloinositol by the locust in vivo. Extracts of locust fat body catalyse the conversion of myoinositol into scylloinositol. This seems to take place by a 2-step process in which myoinositol is 1st oxidized with NAD+ to myoinosose-2, and the myoinosose-2 is stereospecifically reduced with NADPH to scylloinositol.