Humoral mediator‐dependent activation of the Sarcophaga lectin gene

Abstract
Sarcophaga lectin is a defence protein synthesized by the fat body and secreted into the hemolymph in response to injury of the body of third instar larvae of Sarcophaga peregrina (flesh‐fly). In this paper, we demonstrate that the stimulus of body injury is first transmitted to a certain tissue present in the anterior part of the body, and from there a mediator molecule that interacts directly with fat body cells is secreted into the hemolymph. On interaction with this mediator molecule, the fat body begins to synthesize mRNA for Sarcophaga lectin.