The ribosomal proteins of Drosophila melanogaster. II. Comparison of protein patterns of ribosomes from larvae, pupae and adult flies by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

Summary The ribosomal proteins from two larval and two pupal stages, within 24 hours before and after pupation, respectively, and adult flies were extracted and compared by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. This technique resolved 53 larval, 50 pupal and 52 adult ribosomal proteins, forming a complex pattern. Some proteins were found only in one stage or the other. At present it is not possible, however, to classify these proteins as stage-specific. Some spots showed considerable increase in their staining intensities from one stage to the other, whereas, at the same time, other spots faded. In the ribosomal protein pattern of adult flies 3 proteins showed altered electrophoretic mobilities as compared to earlier developmental stages.Hormones involved in insect development, epigenetic control and non-ribosomal proteins are discussed as possible causes of the variations in the ribosomal protein composition.