The influence of ouabain on the elimination of injected and orally applied dyes in Drosophila hydei

Abstract

The sour dyes azocarmine and indigocarmine are excreted through the Malpighian tubules and the midgut after injection into the body cavity of third instar Drosophila hydei larvae. After injection, the other organs are free of dyes. The epithelium of the midgut does not allow orally applied dyes to pass into the haemolymph. Ouabain diminishes significantly the content of dyes in the cavity of the Malpighian tubules and of the midgut. The maximal concentration of azocarmine decreases in the Malpighian tubules to about 65 per cent and in the midgut to about 70 per cent. Indigocarmine decreases in the Malpighian tubules to about 55 per cent. The content of indigocarmine of the midgut does not change significantly after ouabain injections. As ouabain inhibits active ion transport, the decrease of the concentration of dyes is seen as proof of the coupling of active ion transport processes and of excretion of the dyes. Moreover, this decrease points to an ouabain-sensitive transport mechanism, which is localized in the epithelia of the Malpighian tubules and midgut.