Expression of the lectin gene in Sarcophaga peregrina during normal development and under conditions where the defence mechanism is activated

Abstract

Expression of the Sarcophaga lectin gene was investigated using a cDNA clone as a probe. During normal development of Sarcophaga peregrina, the lectin gene was activated transiently in the embryos in 8-day old female flies and in the fat body of early pupae. The gene was also activated in the fat body of 3rd-instar larvae when sheep red blood cells were injected. Since, in Sarcophaga, this lectin has been shown to participate in scavenging sheep red blood cells introduced into 3rd-instar larvae, the same defence mechanism mediated by the lectin probably operates both in scavenging unnecessary tissues or cells produced during normal development and, in emergency, in eliminating invading foreign substances.