THE ROLE OF THE GONADOTROPIC HORMONE IN THE SYNTHESIS OF PROTEIN AND RNA IN RHODNIUS PROLIXUS (HEMIPTERA)

Abstract

The hormone of the corpus allatum in Rhodnius prolixus, as well as in many other insects has been found to be necessary for the deposition of yolk in the growing oocytes of the ovary. Experiments were conducted to test the hypothesis that this gonadotropic action is exercised by controlling protein synthesis in the insect. Autoradiographic studies were undertaken on allatectomized bugs, and on operated controls. The hormone appeared to have little or no effect on DNA synthesis, but allatectomized bugs showed a drastic inhibition of RNA and protein synthesis in all tissues studied. It is not clear whether the hormone has a direct or an indirect action on protein synthesis.