The effects of pH and weak bases on the in vitro endocytosis of vitellogenin by oocytes of Drosophila melanogaster.

The endocytosis of labeled vitellogenin by the developing oocytes of Drosophila melanogaster is pH dependent and inhibited in the presence of primary amines as determined by culturing whole ovaries in vitro. When the pH of the culture medium is adjusted to 6.8 or above, the vitellogenic oocytes sequester labeled vitellogenin synthesized by the follicle cells. The endocytosis of vitellogenin is shown autoradiographically by the accumulation of labeled yolk spheres within the oocytes. When the pH of the medium is reduced to 6.6 or below, the oocytes fail to sequester labeled vitellogenin, as demonstrated by an increase in immunoprecipitable vitellogenin in the culture medium and a concomitant reduction in the number of labeled yolk spheres within the oocytes. Vitellogenin endocytosis is also impaired by the addition of the primary amines methylamine or chloroquine to the culture medium. Monensin, a carboxylic ionophore, is shown to inhibit completely the secretion of labeled vitellogenin from the follicle cells.