The synthesis of antibacterial proteins in isolated fat body from Cecropia silkmoth pupae.

Fat body from previously immunized diapausing pupae of the silkmoth, Hyalophora cecropia (Saturniidae), incubated in vitro, released antibacterial activity into the medium and incorporated 3H-leucine into the immunity proteins P1-P9. The release of antibacterial activity from fat body was also induced to some extent by injection of Ringer solution and, after 20 h in culture, by the injury of dissection.