Intermediary Metabolism in Aseptically Reared Blowfly Larvæ, Calliphora Erythrocephala (MEIG.) I. Biosynthesis of Squalene and Cholesterol

Abstract

Cholesterol and squalene biosynthesis on aseptically reared (axenic) larvae of the bluebottle Calliphora erylhrocephala (Meig.) has been studied in two series of experiments. In the first series it has been found, that the larvae are unable to use squalene instead of cholesterol for their growth and development. In the second series a great number of larvae have been reared under aseptic conditions on a semisynthetic medium to which acetate-I-¹⁴C was added. In the unsaponifiable fraction, isolated from these larvae, a high radioactivity was measured. Nearly all this radioactivity was present in the wax-like substances. No acetate carbon was incorporated into the isolated cholesterol. The very small activity measured in squalene isolated after addition of carrier, is probably due to impurities.