The mechanism of C-20 hydroxylation of alpha-ecdysone in the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria.

1. The C-20 hydroxylation of alpha-ecdysone to produce beta-ecdysone was investigated in the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria. 2. alpha-Ecdysone C-20 hydroxylase activity was located primarily in the fat-body and Malpighian tubules. The properties of the hydroxylation system from Malpighian tubules investigated further. 3. The enzyme system was mitochondrial, had a pH optimum of 6.5, an apparent Km of 12.5 micron and required O2 and NADPH. 4. The activity of the hydroxylation system showed developmental variation within the fifth instar, the maximum activity corresponding to the maximum tire of endogenous moulting hormone. The significance of these results is assessed in relation to the control of the endogenous titre of beta-ecdysone. 5. The mechanism of the hydroxylation system was investigated by using known inhibitors of hydroxylation reactions such as CO, metyrapone and cyanide. 6. The CO difference spectrum of the reduced mitochondrial preparation indicated the presence of cytochrome P-450 in the preparation. 7. It concluded that the alpha-ecdysone C-20 hydroxylase system is a cytochrome P-450-deendent mono-oxygenase.