Serial polymers in the epidermis of Drosophila melanogaster larvae.
The paper reports the existence of peculiar polymers (e-polymers) obtained from the epidermis of Drosophila melanogaster larvae. E-polymers result from the assembly of two components held together by alkali-labile bonds. Such components can be separated by CsCl density gradients and by DEAE-cellulose chromatography after controlled alkaline hydrolysis. One of the components contains predominantly neutral sugars and a phenolic substance (S-fraction). The other contains predominantly amino acids, aminosugars and a phenolic substance. This fraction can be visualized as serial multimers of a monomer subunit. It is suggested that e-polymers are continuous tridimensional structures which might have morphogenetic significance.
D000596:Amino Acids; D000606:Amino Sugars; D000818:Animals; D001704:Biopolymers / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D002627:Chemistry, Physical; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000032:analysis*; D004817:Epidermis / Q000032:analysis*; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007814:Larva / Q000032:analysis; D046911:Macromolecular Substances / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D010636:Phenols; D010710:Phosphates
D000596:Amino Acids; D000606:Amino Sugars; D001704:Biopolymers; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D010636:Phenols; D010710:Phosphates