GLYCINE INCORPORATION DURING STARVATION IN BOMBYX-MORI - RELATION TO RESPIRATORY METABOLISM

The pattern of glycine incorporation was followed during 48 h starvation in B. mori larvae, incorporation rate decreased and reached its lowest level after 24 h although it never stopped. Prior injection with cycloheximide caused a fall in the incorporation level in well-fed silkworms, but had no effect after 24 h starvation. Cycloheximide decreased the respiratory rate; this decrease lessened as length of starvation period increased. The antibiotic had no effect on respiratory metabolism after 24 h starvation. There was a high correlation between the inhibiting effect on metabolism due to cycloheximide and the corresponding protein synthesis rate. The decrease in protein synthesis during starvation induces a reduction in the corresponding energy requirements, which partly explains the decrease of respiratory metabolism.