CUTICLE PROTEINS DURING THE POSTEMBRYONIC DEVELOPMENT OF CERATITIS-CAPITATA

1. The cuticle proteins from different developmental stages of Ceratitis capitata have been studied. 2. Extraction of cuticle proteins from the different cuticles, using a number of solvents, showed only quantitative differences; thus in our experiments for the extraction of cuticle proteins we used urea, the most quantitatively effective solvent. 3. We have also measured the chitin/protein content of different cuticles. 4. The developmental pattern of cuticle proteins has been studied using native and SDS electrophoresis. 5. Late larval and late pupal cuticles showed the same pattern of proteins on SDS gel electrophoresis. 6. The early larval, early pupal and adult cuticle proteins each has a different electrophoretic pattern.