Lactic and alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenases in insects.

Different tissues, especially muscles, from insects belonging to various groups were extracted and studied for their lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) and alpha-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (GDH I) activities from the comparative point of view. In all cases assays of flight muscle extracts showed extremely low values of LDH activity whereas the GDH activities were surprisingly high. The activities in leg muscles were generally lower. In some insects, however, a very active LDH was found; in these cases the GDH activity seemed to be decreased. GDH I was rather active in the fat bodies. The presence of particulate glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (GDH II) was also demonstrated in insect muscles. These results were interpreted as indicating a system by which there is accomplished immediate and direct breakdown of metabolites to supply large amounts of energy during flight and other activities without the accumulation of intermediate substances.