Regulatory mediators in the venom of Chelonus sp.: their biosynthesis and subsequent processing in homologous and heterologous systems.
Following titration of the contents of the venom gland reservoir, the rate of biosynthesis of venom proteins was sufficiently rapid over the next 6-24 hrs to restore their titer to the level initially synthesized during early adulthood. There was no evidence of processing of smaller molecular weight components from much larger forms. Although most proteins were stable in young host embryos, two specific processing products of a 32.5 kDa venom protein were found in such hosts. The natural injection of venom proteins into either very old embryos or young embryos subsequently held at 4 degrees C for six days resulted in rapid degradation to biologically inactive forms. These data are the first report of direct examination of the biosynthesis of wasp venom proteins and the first analysis of the processing of specific hymenopteran venom proteins in target tissues.
Jones
D
D
Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington 40546.
Wozniak
M
M
D000818:Animals; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D007313:Insecta; D008970:Molecular Weight; D014862:Wasp Venoms / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014863:Wasps / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*
D014862:Wasp Venoms