We describe prostaglandin (PG) biosynthesis by microsomal-enriched fractions of fat body prepared from larvae of the tenebrionid beetle, Zophobas atratus. PG biosynthesis was sensitive to incubation time, temperature, pH, substrate and protein concentration. Optimal PG biosynthesis conditions of those we examined included 2 mg of microsomal-enriched protein, incubated at 22 degrees C for 2 min at pH 6. These preparations yielded four major PGs: PGA(2), PGE(2), PGD(2) and PGF(2 alpha). PGA(2) and PGF(2 alpha) were the predominant eicosanoids produced under these conditions. Two non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, indomethacin and naproxen, effectively inhibited PG biosynthesis in low concentrations. In vitro PG biosynthetic reaction conditions, using vertebrate or invertebrate enzyme sources, usually include a cocktail of reaction co-factors. The Z. atratus preparation similarly performs better in the presence of co-factors. Arch.
Copyright 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.