Purification and properties of microvitellogenin of Manduca sexta role of juvenile hormone in appearance and uptake.

Microvitellogenin, a female specific protein found in hemolymph and eggs of adult female Manduca sexta (tobacco hornworm moth) has been purified to homogeneity. It is a 31,000 dalton protein lacking covalently bound carbohydrate. It appears in the hemolymph near the time of adult eclosion. The appearance of microvitellogenin in adult hemolymph is not dependent upon the presence of juvenile hormone. Uptake of both vitellogenin and microvitellogenin are greatly reduced in the absence of juvenile hormone.