Cytochemical and electrophoretic studies of haemoglobin synthesis in the fat body of a midge, Chironomus thummi

Abstract

The fat body of developing mid- and late fourth instar larvae of a midge, Chironomus thummi, has been investigated by means of the benzidine reaction for the localization of haemoglobin within cells. In the subepidermal fat body the reaction deposits of the haemoglobin pseudo-peroxidase activity appear predominantly in the intracisternal cavities of ER and the Golgi, and later, in the pharate pupal stage, in small dense granules (0.5–1 μm in. diameter). All the major protein bands of fat body extracts, which are resolved in electrophoresis, give the benzidine reaction and show incorporation of 14C-amino levulinic acids, in this case a specific marker for haemoglobin synthesis. In addition, labelled proteins show identical electrophoretic mobility as the haemoglobins of the haemolymph, suggesting that haemoglobins are synthesized in the fat body. Two types of fat body cells seem to differ with respect to their rôle in haemoglobin metabolism.