MONOGLYCERIDE LIPASE IN MOTH FLIGHT MUSCLE

Very active lipases with high specificity for monoglycerides are present in the flight muscle of the southern armyworm moth (Prodenia eridania), the salt marsh caterpillar moth (acrea moth, Estigmene acrea), the cecropia moth (Hyalophora cecropia), and the polyphemus moth (Antheraea polyphemus). Most of the enzymatic activity of homogenates is associated with large particles (probably the myofibrils or the sarcolemma), but can be solubilized by extraction with high ionic strength KCl solution. No significant di- or triglyceride lipase or esterase activity could be demonstrated in the flight muscle of these moths. A variety of agents that enhance or diminish triglyceride lipase activity in mammalian tissues had no effect on the moth lipases, either in homogenates or in intact muscle. © 1969.