Occurrence and distribution of aldolase isozymes during embryonic and post-embryonic development of the silkworm, Bombyx mori

Abstract

Fructose 1,6-bisphosphate aldolase (EC4.1.2.13) occurred as two distinct molecular varieties in Bombyx mori in zymogram analysis: a slowly migrating (S) band observed in the ovary and in yolk of the eggs during embryonic development until the stage of head pigmentation and a fast migrating (F) band appearing after this stage in the embryo. Organs during post-embryonic development exhibited three additional bands between the S and F bands on zymograms. The composition of the five bands was organ-specific, with S predominating in the fat bodies and F in the muscles. The partially purified S and F preparation differed in the activity ratio towards the two substrates fructose 1,6-bisphosphate/fructose 1-phosphate, the ratios being 3 for S and 10 for F. In vitro mixing of the S and F preparations produced intermediary migrating materials, indicating that the occurrence of five components in the organs may be due to the formation of heterotetramers of the S and F subunits. © 1995.