Developmental variation in effects of the second and third chromosomes on the activities of the glucose 6-phosphate and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenases in Drosophila melanogaster

Developmental profiles of the second- and third-chromosome modifiers of the activities of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGD) in Drosophila melanogaster were investigated. Third-chromosome modifiers showed very strong effects on both enzyme activities at larval, pupal, and adult stages, whereas second-chromosome effects were detected mainly at larval and adult stages. For both enzyme activities and both chromosomes, the correlation over line means between larval and pupal stages was significantly positive, but the correlation between larval or pupal stage and adult stage was not significant. This result suggests that the actions of modifiers on G6PD and 6PGD activities are influenced by the change of developmental stages. Correlation between G6PD and 6PGD activities was positive and highly significant throughout the developmental stages for both sets of chromosomes, although third-chromosome correlations were slightly higher than second-chromosome correlations. The magnitude of the correlation between G6PD and 6PGD activities does not seem to be influenced by the change of development. Diallel crosses for both sets of chromosomes indicate that the action of activity modifiers is mainly additive for both sets of chromosomes, but dominance effects were detected in some cases in adult males. Significant maternal effects were detected for the third chromosome for both enzyme activities until the pupal stage. The change of the activity modifier action after emergence of the imago and the significant correlation between G6PD and 6PGD activities were also detected for diallel progeny.This work was supported by Public Health Service Grant NIH-GM11546.Paper No. 10211 of the journal series of the North Carolina Agricultural Research Service, Raleigh, North Carolina 27695.     

食料对南亚果实蝇解毒酶活力的影响

昆虫解毒酶是一类异质酶系, 对分解大量的内源或外源有毒物质、维持正常生理代谢起着重要作用。本文采用生物化学的方法测定了5种寄主果实对南亚果实蝇Bactrocera tau Walker 3个虫态体内总蛋白含量和5种解毒酶的活力。双因子方差分析显示, 南亚果实蝇种群取食黄瓜Cucumis sativus L.、南瓜Cucurbita moschala L.、丝瓜Luffa cylindrical L.、冬瓜Benincasa hispida (Thunb.) Coqn.和苦瓜Momordica charantia L.后, 体内蛋白含量和解毒酶活性均存在显著差异。以丝瓜为食料时, 南亚果实蝇体内蛋白含量较高; 而以黄瓜和冬瓜为食料时蛋白含量则相对较低。在以上5种寄主果实间, 南亚果实蝇的羧酸酯酶（CarE）活性在黄瓜和南瓜上较高, 细胞色素P450 O-脱甲基和谷胱甘肽S-转移酶（GST）活性在苦瓜上较高, 酸性磷酸酯酶（ACP）和碱性磷酸酯酶（ALP）活性却分别在黄瓜和南瓜上较低。在幼虫、蛹和成虫3个虫态间, 解毒酶活性亦存在显著差异, 成虫具有较高的CarE活性;幼虫具有较高的细胞色素P450 O-脱甲基, GST和ALP活性,但具有较低的ACP活性;除ACP外,蛹期解毒酶活性均较低。据以上结果可以推测,南亚果实蝇解毒酶活力受寄主果实种类以及该种群本身发育阶段的影响。     

Coevolution of the glucose dehydrogenase gene and the ejaculatory duct in the genus Drosophila

The glucose dehydrogenase gene (Gld) in Drosophila melanogaster exhibits a unique spatial and temporal pattern of expression. GLD expression switches from a non-sex-limited state at the pupal stage to a male-limited state at the adult stage. At the adult stage, the enzyme is restricted to the ejaculatory duct. Within the genus Drosophila, the ejaculatory duct has undergone a simple morphological divergence. In order to determine whether correlated changes in GLD expression had occurred, GLD activity during the pupal and adult stages was determined for several Drosophila species. It was found that virtually all of the species exhibit pupal GLD activity, whereas only those species with an expanded ejaculatory duct express male-limited GLD. The results of interspecific genital imaginal disc transplantation experiments indicate that the expanded morphology and GLD expression do not require any species- or sex-specific diffusible factors. An apparent regulatory polymorphism exists within the D. takahashii species with respect to male-limited GLD expression.      

The esterases of Drosophila. I. The anodal esterases and their possible role in eclosion

The ontogeny of esterase activity was analyzed electrophoretically throughout the development of Drosophila pseudoobscura. The major adult enzyme form, Esterase 5, and several minor components, showed no important developmental variation. A group of several rapidly migrating (anodal) esterases, in contrast, accumulated maximum activity during late pupal stages, but was completely absent in newly emerged adults. This disappearance was not the result of some rapid inactivation, for subsequent to eclosion these enzymatic forms could be fully recovered from the discarded pupal case. Of the four additional Drosophila species examined, all but one displayed a similar pattern of ontogenesis. The possible role of these pupa-specific esterases is discussed.     

Soluble and particle-bound trehalase in extracts from larvae, pupae, and adults of Musca domestica

Trehalase activity was measured in tissue homogenates and extracts from the larval, pupal, and adult stages of Musca domestica, the common housefly. The tissue homogenates were separated into soluble and particlebound fractions by differential centrifugation, and the trehalase activities of the fractions were measured. The trehalase specific activity (units of enzyme/mg protein) in homogenates from adult insects was nearly twenty times greater than activity in homogenates of larvae. Homogenates of pupae showed intermediate values. In both the adults and larvae the enzyme activity was approximately evenly distributed between soluble and particle-bound forms, whereas 95 per cent of the trehalase activity in the extract of pupae was in the soluble fraction. The results show that the form and amount of trehalase present during housefly development is adjusted to accommodate the enzyme's physiological rôle of splitting trehalose to glucose for the insect's use as an energy source.     

Induction of glutathione S-transferase in the castor semilooper,Achaea janata (lepidoptera,Noctuidae) following fenitrothion treatment

Glutathione S-transferase activity was determined in the lepidopteran insect species,Achaea janata, during larval, pupal and adult stages following treatment with sublethal and lethal doses of fenitrothion. Both doses of insecticide produced significant induction of enzyme activity. The rate of induction of enzyme activity was not significantly different in insects that received sublethal and lethal doses of insecticide. Enzyme activity in the different stages of insecticide-treated insects was in the order pupa > adult > larva. However, the inducing effect of the insecticide was higher in larvae, than in pupae and adult. In the absence of induction, the level of enzyme was as much as 3 times higher in midgut tissue than in carcass. In larvae treated with sodium barbitone along with fenitrothion, the knock-down effect of the insecticide was delayed. This was attributed to the increased induction of glutathione S-transferase in the larvae treated with sodium barbitone. The level of reduced glutathione, a rate-limiting factor in the induction of glutathione S-transferase, changed in a cyclic manner in insecticide-treated larvae.     

Shotgun proteomic analysis of wing discs from the domesticated silkworm (Bombyx mori) during metamorphosis

Proteomic profiles from the wing discs of silkworms at the larval, pupal, and adult moth stages were determined using shotgun proteomics and MS sequencing. We identified 241, 218, and 223 proteins from the larval, pupal, and adult moth stages, respectively, of which 139 were shared by all three stages. In addition, there were 55, 37, and 43 specific proteins identified at the larval, pupal, and adult moth stages, respectively. More metabolic enzymes were identified among the specific proteins expressed in the wing disc of larvae compared with pupae and moths. The identification of FKBP45 and the chitinase-like protein EN03 as two proteins solely expressed at the larval stage indicate these two proteins may be involved in the immunological functions of larvae. The myosin heavy chain was identified in the pupal wing disc, suggesting its involvement in the formation of wing muscle. Some proteins, such as proteasome alpha 3 subunits and ribosomal proteins, specifically identified from the moth stage may be involved in the degradation of old cuticle proteins and new cuticle protein synthesis. Gene ontology analysis of proteins specific to each of these three stages enabled their association with cellular component, molecular function, and biological process categories. The analysis of similarities and differences in these identified proteins will greatly further our understanding of wing disc development in silkworm and other insects.     

Purification and expression of glutathione S-transferase from a Malaysian population of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae)

Glutathione S-transferase (GST) from the 4^th instar larvae of the dengue vector Aedes albopictus was purified by glutathione-agarose affinity chromatography and characterised using SDS-PAGE. The expression of the purified enzyme in the life stages and insecticide treated populations of Ae. albopictus as well as its cross-reactivity with larval GST of two dipteran species Aedes aegypti and Batrocera papayae were observed using western blotting. The purified GST had a specific activity of 196.0 ± 11 μmol/min/mg with a purification fold and yield of 28 and 69%, respectively. The SDS-PAGE analysis of the purified GST depicted a single band size of 23 kDa. The GST was expressed in all the larval and adult stages of Ae. albopictus with the exception of the pupal stage. However, the expression level in the adult stage was visibly reduced as compared to the larval stages. Western blotting analysis showed no cross-reactivity with the GST of Ae. aegypti (4^th instar) and B. papayae (3^rd instar) larvae. The expression of this enzyme was not inducible by exposure to the insecticides dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (1.25 mg/L) and malathion (0.3125 mg/L).     

Electrophoretic 'keys' for the identification of parasitoids (Hymenoptera: Braconidae: Aphelinidae) attacking Sitobion avenae (F.) (Hemiptera: Aphididae)

Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis was used to construct electrophoretic 'keys' for identifying larval, pupal and adult hymenopterous parasitoids of Sitobion avenae (F.). In general, for each parasitoid and enzyme system tested, all life stages gave similar banding patterns. Although five enzyme systems were tested, esterase was found to be the most useful single system. Using laboratory-reared parasitoids and staining for esterase activity, all species examined, except Aphidius rhopalosiphi and A. ervi could be readily distinguished with the aid of the appropriate key.     

Juvenile hormone acid synthesis and HMG-CoA reductase activity in corpora allata of Manduca sexta prepupae

Corpora allata (CA) of last instar larvae of Manduca sexta switch from juvenile hormone (JH) to JH acid secretion just before the onset of wandering behavior. JH acid secretion peaked during the prepupal period and ceased prior to pupal ecdysis. HMG-CoA reductase activity also peaked during the prepupal period and then declined. However, substantial enzyme activity was present in pupal and pharate adult glands. Removal of the brain at the wandering stage caused a reduction in JH acid secretion by prepupal CA. The profile of HMG-CoA activity in CA of debrained larvae resembled that of sham-operated larvae except that the prepupal peak was smaller than in control larvae. Addition of brain extracts to CA maintained in vitro neither stimulated not inhibited JH acid secretion and HMG-CoA reductase activity. It is suggested that the brain regulates CA activity in post-wandering stages via intact nerves.     

Cytochrome oxidase activity during diapause and metamorphosis of the Japanese beetle,Popillia japonica Newman

1. Determinations were made on the activity of cytochrome oxidase of individual Japanese beetles during growth, diapause, and metamorphosis. All readings were made on homogenates at a dilution of 1:1,000, except for adult beetles, when the final dilution was 1:10,000. 2. The activity of the enzyme increased during larval growth from a low value of 0.022 in the second instar, to high values ranging from 0.074 to 0.083 in diapause third instar larvae. 3. The high activity of cytochrome oxidase during larval diapause indicates that this condition may be physiologically different from that occurring in the egg or pupal stages of most other insects. 4. During metamorphosis, the activity of cytochrome oxidase follows the characteristic U-shaped curve associated with respiratory metabolism. It thus appears that most of the oxidation occurring in metamorphosing individuals is mediated through the cytochrome system. 5. The activity of cytochrome oxidase is significantly higher in the adult male than it is in the adult female; the values (calculated on the basis of a 1:1,000 dilution) were 0.40 ± 0.028 and 0.25 ± 0.012, respectively.     

Acetylcholinesterase in Apis mellifera head during post-embryonic development. Existence of a glycoinositol-anchored membrane form at eary pupal stages

• 1.1. Properties of acetylcholinesterase (AChE, EC 3.1.1.7) from Apis mellifera head were studied during pupal development and at the adult stage.
• 2.2. During post-embryonic development, tissue and specific activities were closely related and increased to reach a maximum value at emergence and at last pupal stage, respectively.
• 3.3. In adults, AChE activity was weaker in foragers than in emerging bees.
• 4.4. The membrane form occurred in adult bees as well as in pupae whereas the soluble enzyme only appeared from Pd pupal stage.
• 5.5. The proportion of soluble and membrane forms fluctuated during late development but, in all cases, the percentage of the soluble form remained less than 10% of total AChE activity.
• 6.6. At all post-embryonic stages, the membrane form was sensitive to the action of phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C (PI-PLC) and was converted into a hydrophilic enzyme.
• 7.7. In adult bees, the sensitivity to PI-PLC depended on the season. In summer, about 60% of the membrane activity could be solubilized by PI-PLC vs only 5% in winter.
• 8.8. The sensitivity of AChE to pirimicarb varied with the developmental stage.
• 9.9. In foraging bees, AChE was more susceptible to pirimicarb than in emerging bees. This difference of sensitivity to carbamate was abolished after removal of the membrane anchor either by mild trypsin digestion of PI-PLC treatment.

     

Cloning,partial purification and in vivo developmental profile of expression of the juvenile hormone epoxide hydrolase of Ctenocephalides felis

cDNAs encoding two different epoxide hydrolases (nCfEH1 and nCfEH2) were cloned from a cDNA library prepared from the wandering larval stage of the cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis. Predicted translations of the open reading frames indicated the clones encoded proteins of 464 (CfEH1) and 465 (CfEH2) amino acids. These proteins have a predicted molecular weight of 53 kDa and a putative 22 amino acid N-terminal hydrophobic membrane anchor. The amino acid sequences are 77% identical, and both are homologous to previously isolated epoxide hydrolases from Manduca sexta, Trichoplusia ni, and Rattus norvegicus. Purification of native juvenile hormone epoxide hydrolase (JHEH) from unfed adult cat fleas generated a partially pure protein that hydrolyzed juvenile hormone III to juvenile hormone III-diol. The amino terminal sequence of this;50-kDa protein is identical to the deduced amino terminus of the protein encoded by the nCfEH1 clone. Affinity-purified rabbit polyclonal antibodies raised against Escherichia coli-expressed HisCfEH1 recognized a approximately 50-kDa protein present in the partially purified fraction containing JHEH activity. Immunohistochemistry experiments using the same affinity-purified rabbit polyclonal antibodies localized the epoxide hydrolase in developing oocytes, fat body, and midgut epithelium of the adult flea. The presence of JHEH in various flea life stages and tissues was assessed by Northern blot and enzymatic activity assays. JHEH mRNA expression remained relatively constant throughout the different flea larval stages and was slightly elevated in the unfed adult flea. JHEH enzymatic activity was highest in the late larval, pupal, and adult stages. In all stages and tissues examined, JHEH activity was significantly lower than juvenile hormone esterase (JHE) activity, the other enzyme responsible for JH catalysis.     

Body size and cell size in Drosophila: the developmental response to temperature

In Drosophila, like most ectotherms, development at low temperature reduces growth rate but increases final adult size. Cultures were shifted from 25 degrees C to low (16.5 degrees C) or to high (29 degrees C) temperature at regular intervals through larval and pupal stages, and the flies of both sexes showed an increase or decrease, respectively, in the size of thorax, wing and abdominal tergite. Size changes in the wing blade resulted from changes in the size of the epidermal cells (with only a small increase in cell number in males reared at low temperature). The temperature-shifts became less effective as they were made at successively later developmental stages, demonstrating a cumulative effect of temperature on adult size. The thorax and wing develop from the same imaginal disc, with most cell division occurring in larval stages, but they differ in timing of temperature sensitivity, which extends only to pupariation or into the late pupal stage, respectively. Growth of the adult abdomen occurs largely after pupariation but its size is temperature-sensitive through both larval and pupal stages. We discuss growth control in Drosophila and the likely effects of temperature on food assimilation, growth efficiency and allocation of nutrients to the production of different tissues.     

Epoxide hydrase activity and its relationship to development in the southern armyworm, Prodenia eridania

Enzymatic epoxide hydration of the cyclodiene insecticide HEOM by the southern armyworm was investigated throughout the late larval, pupal and adult stages of development. Epoxide hydrase activity reaches a maximum in the period between ecdysis of the last instar and the larval-pupal ecdysis, decreases during pupal life and becomes essentially zero following adult emergence. Comparison was made with variations occurring in juvenile hormone hydrase activity, and the significance of these age-dependent changes in relation to regulation of insect development are discussed.     

Identification of adult midgut precursors in Drosophila

The adult Drosophila midgut is thought to arise from an endodermal rudiment specified during embryogenesis. Previous studies have reported the presence of individual cells termed adult midgut precursors (AMPs) as well as “midgut islands” or “islets” in embryonic and larval midgut tissue. Yet the precise relationship between progenitor cell populations and the cells of the adult midgut has not been characterized. Using a combination of molecular markers and directed cell lineage tracing, we provide evidence that the adult midgut arises from a molecularly distinct population of single cells present by the embryonic/larval transition. AMPs reside in a distinct basal position in the larval midgut where they remain through all subsequent larval and pupal stages and into adulthood. At least five phases of AMP activity are associated with the stepwise process of midgut formation. Our data shows that during larval stages AMPs give rise to the presumptive adult epithelium; during pupal stages AMPs contribute to the final size, cell number and form. Finally, a genetic screen has led to the identification of the Ecdysone receptor as a regulator of AMP expansion.     

Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase in Sea Lamprey (Petromyzon marinus): Characterization, Localization, and Developmental Changes

Abstract: We have carried out assays for glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) in homogenates of brain and spinal cord from larval and adult sea lamprey ( Petromyzon marinus ). The enzyme had similar characteristics in both stages. Optimal pH was 6.8; optimal temperature was 27–30° C; K _m at 27°C was 5 mM. GAD activity was distributed uniformly along the length of the spinal cord. Specific activities for the larval cord and brain were 26 and 63 nm CO₂/mg protein/h. respectively. The specific activities for the adult cord and brain were 29 and 236 nm CO₂/mg protein/h, respectively. Thus, the activity of cord homogenates did not change significantly between larval and adult stages, but that of the brain increased about fourfold.     

The toxicity and biological effect of Pedalium murex L. extracts on the tobacco cutworm,Spodoptera litura (Fabr.) larvae

Petroleum ether, acetone, water and aqueous extract of Pedalium murex L. (Pedalaceae) leaves, root and fruit were tested against fourth instar larvae of the tobacco cutworm, Spodoptera litura (Fabr.) under laboratory conditions using leaf dip method. Larval mortality; larval, pupal and adult periods; pupal weight, pupation and adult emergence; larval and pupal deformities of S. litura were recorded. All the tested solvent extracts of P. murex were effective against S. litura life stages by causing mortality in a dose dependent manner. However, the efficacy was more significant with respect to acetone (leaf and root) and petroleum ether (root) at higher concentrations (0.8%) which leads to 100% larval mortality. The water and aqueous extracts of root caused 86.6 and 88.0% larval mortality respectively at 4% concentration. Among the plant parts tested, root had more importance followed by leaf and fruit. Plant extracts extended the larval, pupal and adult periods; reduced the pupal weight, pupal and adult emergence and caused larval–pupal deformities. Total life time was highly prolonged in acetone extracts of P. murex root. Though all the extracts were found to have insecticide activity, acetone and petroleum ether extracts of P. murex root can be used as an effective alternative to modern synthetic insecticides. Bioactive principles from these extracts can be isolated, identified and integrated in S. litura management.     

Thyroxine influence on different ion-specific adenosine triphosphatase activities in fat body of Bombyx mori during development

The effects of thyroxine on the activity of different ATPases (Na⁺-K⁺, Ca²⁺, and Mg²⁺) in fat body cells of the silkworm, Bombyx mori, were investigated during different developmental stages. In both sexes the maximum enzyme activity was observed in the fat body cells of day 7 last instar larva (the day before spinning). Na⁺-K⁺, Ca²⁺-, and Mg²⁺-ATPase activity in the fat body markedly declined after pupation and continued to decrease in day 1 adults. Injection of thyroxine (T4) at doses of 1.0 and 2.0 μg/g during fifth instar significantly elevated all ATPase activities in the larval, pupal, and adult stages in both sexes. At a dose of 0.5 μg/g, T4 had no effect on day 2 fifth instar larva, although it increased the ATPase activity at the other stages investigated. A higher dose (3.0 μg/g) caused a significant reduction in enzyme activity in all stages with the exception of day 2 fifth instar larva. Thus, the repression of enzyme activity with the higher dose and the elevation of enzyme activity with the lower dose establish the biphasic nature of T4 action on the ATPase system in fat body cells of the silkworm. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 37:191–196, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Developmental changes of sepiapterin synthase activity associated with a variegated purple gene in Drosophila melanogaster

A variegated position effect on the autonomous gene, purple, has been studied enzymologically in Drosophila melanogaster. Sepiapterin synthase, the enzyme system associated with pr ⁺, was examined for activity in different developmental stages of the fly. The results indicate that T(Y:2) pr ^c5, cn/pr^c4 cn flies (flies in which pr ⁺ has been translocated and which exhibit variegation) have a reduced amount of enzyme activity as compared with both Oregon-R and pr ¹ flies. This reduction in activity was not found in larval stages, which suggests that the inactivation process probably occurs in late larval or early pupal stages. The phenotype of the variegated adult has white eyes with red-colored spots and patches where drosopterins occur. The phenotype of the fly carrying the translocation is modified by the presence of additional Y chromosomes. This extends the observation from other systems that extra heterochromatin acts to suppress the variegated position effect. The advantages of studying the variegation by measuring enzyme activity, as well as the phenotypic expression, are several; for example, the developmental time at which variegation occurs may be estimated even though drosopterin synthesis is not occurring.The Oak Ridge National Laboratory is operated by Union Carbide Corporation for the Department of Energy under Contract No. W-7405-eng-26.