ECDYSONE AND DNA SYNTHESIS IN CULTURED WING DISKS OF WAX MOTH, GALLERIA MELLONELLA

The dynamics of ecdysone's action on DNA synthesis in cultured wing disks was investigated. The treatment time and concentration of ecdysone needed to elicit DNA synthesis differ from the conditions required to cause morphological changes in the disks. This supports the view that each component of the metamorphosis of the imaginal disks has its own particular hormonal requirements. Ecdysone retained its capacity to stimulate DNA synthesis after being cultured with wing disks for 72 hr. This observation suggests that ecdysone is not inactivated by primary target organs. © 1969.