QUANTITATIVE STUDIES OF HYDROLYTIC ENZYME ACTIVITY IN THE SALIVARY GLAND OFCHIRONOMUS TENTANS(DIPTERA: CHIRONOMIDAE) DURING METAMORPHOSIS

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Changes in the hydrolytic enzymes, ribonuclease and acid phosphatase were investigated in the salivary gland ofChironomus tentanssince these lysosomal enzymes may participate in hormonally stimulated tissue breakdown. Quantitative assays revealed 9- and 12-fold increases in the specific activity of these enzymes during pupation while the protein content of the gland was decreasing. These increases cannot be accounted for by decreased protein but may represent an activation, accumulation, or synthesis which seems to be important in gland breakdown at metamorphosis.