Studies on the biochemistry of insects. XVII. Data on protein metabolism in the hymenopteran pollistes gallicus

Abstract

Using the photocolorimetric method of Lowry and the paper electrophoresis method, a study has been made of the soluble proteins and the electrophoretic fractions which appear in the workers of the hymenopter Pollistes gallicus, by studying the complete insect and its different organs. It has thus been proved that the soluble proteins predominate in the abdomen, followed by the head, the valúes for which are almost equal to those for the thorax. Subsequently they appear in the digestive apparatus, and the lowest figures are found in the wings. In the digestive apparatus, thorax and abdomen two electrophoretic fractions are found in the last of these there also appears a yellow pigment, the electrophoretic mobility of which is very close to that of the most rapid fraction, and which can be dissolved in the dissolution of bromophenol blue.