Role of active potassium transport by integumentary epithelium in secretion of larval-pupal moulting fluid during silkmoth development.

Abstract

1. The exuvial side of the pharate pupal integument is usually positive to the haemolymph-side, both in vivo and in vitro, during the period when the moulting fluid is being secreted. 2. The ratio of potassium flux toward the exuvial space is higher than that toward the haemolymph, under both open-circuit conditions and short-circuit conditions, demonstrating by the Flux Ratio test that potassium is actively transported across the isolated integument during this secretion period. 3. Just prior to ecdysis, while moulting fluid is being reabsorbed, the potassium flux ratios become unity, suggesting that active potassium transport has ceased, but the short-circuit current that remains suggests that some other ion is actively transported at this time. 4. We argue that the potassium salt solution, formed in the exuvial space (as water presumably follows the actively transported potassium), has three functions (1) to accomplish the gel--sol transformation, (2) to activate the gel enzymes and (3) to buffer the enzyme solution at a pH favourable to the activity of the gel enzymes.