Variation of isocytochromes c during metamorphosis of the housefly, Musca domestica L

Yamanaka, T.; Inoue, S.; Hiroyoshi, T.

Two isocytochrome c's occur in the housefly, M. domestica L. and their primary structures differ in at least 5 positions. The amount of the major isocytochrome in larvae (larval-type cytochrome c) decreased by 50% on pupation, decreased by a further 50% at the late pupal stage (1 day before adult emergence) and then increased 2-fold on adult emergence. The major isocytochrome in adults (adult-type cytochrome c) also occurred in larvae. The amount of this isocytochrome remained constant through the larval and early pupal stages, increased .apprx. 3.7-fold at the late pupal stage and further increased by .apprx. 6.3-fold on adult emergence; its amount in adults was > 20 times that in larvae. The increase in the total amount of cytochrome c seen during the metamorphosis of the housefly was caused mainly by the increased biosyntheiss of adult-type cytochrome c, however the larval-type cytochrome did not disappear completely in the adult flies. The ratio in the amount of adult-to larval-cytochrome c's varied in different areas of the adult fly; the ratio was .apprx. 3.6 in the thoraces while it was .apprx. 0.3 in the abdomens.