Norman Mitlin

Biosynthesis of grandlure, the pheromone of the boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis, from acetate, mevalonate, and glucose.

Abstract The steam-distilled faeces of adult male boll weevils, Anthonomus grandis , that had been injected with acetate-1 14 C, acetate-2 14 C, mevalonic acid-2 14 C, or glucose 14 C(U) showed by column and gas chromatography that approximately 0·02 per cent of the administered radioactivity was incorporated into the volatile fraction. Also, 4 components of the pheromone comprised 57 to 80 per cent of the radioactivity of the volatiles but only 39 per cent of the total content of volatiles. Thus, evidence was obtained for de novo synthesis of the components. Although the boll weevil is essentially an obligate insect of cotton, this insect does not appear to require any specific component in cotton for biosynthesis of the pheromone.

End products of metabolism in the boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis Boheman: Non-protein amino acids in the faeces☆

Abstract As part of a study of nitrogen metabolism, the faeces of the boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis Boheman, were examined for non-protein amino acids. By use of chromatographic techniques, twenty amino acids in an ethanolic extract were detected and the quantities estimated. Acid hydrolysis increased this number to twenty-three. The free and bound non-protein amino acids and ammonia accounted for 3·23 per cent of total faeces nitrogen.

Incorporation of lysine-6-C14 into the protein of the adult boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis

Abstract The incorporation of lysine-6-C14 was observed at regular intervals for 24 hr after it was injected into the haemocoele of the boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis Boheman. As the concentration of amino acid diminished in the free amino acid pool, it rose in the protein fraction. However, the concentration in the pool tended to reach equilibrium at a relatively high level after 4 hr, whereas that in the protein fraction levelled off at about 8 hr. The lipoprotein fraction was labelled quickly, within the first hour, and lost its activity as quickly. Probably at least part of the labelled lysine was incorporated into the lipoprotein fraction before it was incorporated into the protein fraction.

The free amino acids in the haemolymph of the maturing adult boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis boheman

Abstract 1. 1. The free and hydrolyzed free amino acids in the haemolymph of the boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis Boheman, were identified, and the amounts present during the first 5 days of adulthood were estimated. 2. 2. In all, thirty ninhydrin-positive compounds were found, and of these, twenty-six were identified and, in most cases, quantitated. 3. 3. Differences were found in both the titer of the total amino acids on a daily basis and in the amounts of individual amino acids, particularly tyrosine. 4. 4. Total nitrogen levels varied with both sex and age, but amino nitrogen levels remained constant.

Incorporation and metabolism of 14C-labeled tryptophan-3 in the boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis Boheman☆

1. n1. When 14C-labeled tryptophan-3 was injected into boll weevils, Anthonomus grandis Boheman, the amount of radioactivity in the free amino acids pool dropped quickly at first and then more gradually until the twelfth hr post injection. Incorporation into the lipoprotein and protein fractions also peaked at 12 hr but with the nucleic acids, incorporation was gradual. n n2. n2. All RNA bases were labeled early (4 hr) but complete labeling of the DNA bases did not occur until 18 hr postinjection. The amount of labeling varied with time. n n3. n3. The lipid fraction was labeled, but activity was too low to determine the extent of incorporation into individual fatty acids. n n4. n4. Both essential and non-essential amino acids were labeled.

Effect of γ-irradiation on utilization of glycine carbons in biosynthesis of RNA and amino acids in the boll weevil.

Abstract Irradiation of boll weevils, Anthonomus grandis, caused a significant decrease in the amounts of valine, isoleucine, and histidine and an increase in the amount of cystine in the free amino acids but had no quantitative effect on the protein-bound amino acids. Also, in 4 hr it did not affect the incorporation of glycine-1-14C or glycine-2-14C into RNA or the synthesis of the ribonucleic acids. All the carboxyl-labelled carbon of glycine was incorporated into the same positions of both serine and glycine in both the free amino acid and the protein fractions, but some randomization occurred with the α carbon in both irradiated and normal insects. The α carbon of glycine contributed little to the formation of CO2; the carboxyl carbon contributed materially.

Metabolism of busulfan in the boll weevil (Anthonomus grandis Boheman)

Abstract One-day-old male boll weevils, Anthonomus grandis Boheman, that had been forcefed 3 H, and 14 C-labeled busulfan were held for 24 and 72 hr, respectively. The resulting metabolites from the feces and extracts of the weevils were analyzed by thin-layer chromatography, gas-liquid chromatography, and mass spectroscopy. At 72 hr postingestion, 34.32% of the total radioactivity was recovered from the feces, about 1.09% as busulfan. Most metabolism of busulfan appeared to take place within 24 hr postingestion. Organic acids, amino acids, busulfan, 1,4- and 2,3-butanediols, and sulfolane were identified as metabolites. Methanesulfonic acid was determined as a metabolite by using unlabeled busulfan.