Effect of Juvenile Hormone on Macromolecular Synthesis of an Insect Cell Line

Abstract

Effect of juvenile hormone activity of juvenile hormone I and several juvenile hormone mimics (JHM) were investigated on cell growth and macromolecular synthesis of an established insect cell line derived from mosquito (Culex molestus) ovary. The cell growth in medium with 10^-4 M methoprene (ZR-515) or 10^-4 M farnesol was perfectly inhibited. The cell shape changed into slender or fibloblast like shape. These compounds inhibited also DNA, RNA and protein syntheses. RNA synthesis was most effectively inhibited than others. Metho-prene is a stronger inhibitor of RNA and protein syntheses than puromycin or actinomycin D. The cells incubated in medium with methoprene for one day recovered the cell growth 2 weeks after the methoprene treatment and then the cell shape also recovered. RNA synthesis inhibited by methoprene was also recovered 90min after the methoprene treatment. DNA, RNA and protein syntheses in the cells treated with juvenile hormone were immediately inhibited but the inhibition was reversible.