Abstract
Following injection of newly formed female pupae or adult Drosophila with C14-labeled β-alanine, appreciable labeled free β-alanine was retained in the internal organs for at least 24 hr. Ebony retained most, while heterozygotes were intermediate. Part of the β-alanine-2-C-labeled portion of the molecule was bound to the internal organs, especially the ovaries and mature egg follicles. Dissected normal pupal cuticles incorporate β-alanine-1-C as directly related to the degree of tanning. KCN, ethanol, or air exclusion inhibit incorporation. Tan pigment and radioactivity are extractable from the cuticles by hydrazine-ethanol. A β-alanine precursor is uracil. Injected β-alanine immobilizes ebony, but not normal, flies (newly emerged) and inhibits glucose, but not glucose 6-phosphate metabolism. Desiccated ebony adults take up water more readily than normal adults.
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Aided by Public Health Service Award GM 12435.
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Jacobs, M.E. β-alanine use by Ebony and normal Drosophila melanogaster with notes on glucose, uracil, dopa, and dopamine. Biochem Genet 1, 267–275 (1968). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00485181
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00485181