MECHANISM OF GLYCINE ACCUMULATION IN THE FAT BODY OF THE SILKWORM BOMBYX MORI L

Abstract

The manner in which glycine is transported by the fat body of the silkworm in vitro is shown. It is observed that glycine is transported agamst a concentration gradient and that a Michaelis Menten-type relationship exists between amino acid concentration and transport. The transport is inhibited by metabolic poisons (1). Complete inhibhion of glycine uptake (lmM) is observed when equimola, concentration of L-methlonine and L-proline are used and the transport mechanism seems to be stereospecific since D-methionine inhibIted glycine absorption only ,partially. Further the effect of pH, antibiotics and heavy metal Ions on glycine uptake support the View that glycine is transported by an active process.