Tyrosinase activity of the symbionts and fat bodies of the cockroach, Leucophaea maderae

Abstract

Tyrosinase activity of the symbionts, and fat bodies of the (Madeira) cockroach, Leucophaea maderae, revealed the following: (a) greatest enzyme synthesis (which decreased upon adolescence) by normal nymphal fat bodies; (b) decreased and somewhat comparable synthesis by aposymbiotic fat bodies; (c) least synthesis by symbiont materials; and (d) definite symbiont enzyme contribution to the pigmentation of the normal insect cuticle.