Non-specific Hydroxylation of Aromatic Amino-Acids by an Insect Cuticle

Abstract

DURING an examination of the amino-acid composition of the larval cuticle of the blow-fly, Calliphora vomitoria, it was found that phenylalanine and tyrosine were readily removed by extraction with water at 50° C. for 2 hr. Surprisingly, however, these amino-acids could not be recognized in the extract. Instead, alanine and ninhydrin-negative diphenolic compounds were found. This observation suggested that the cuticle is capable of hydroxylating aromatic amino-acids in a manner similar to the action of the artificial system studied by Dalgliesh¹.