Genetic studies on hexokinase in the mosquitoAedes togoi

Hexokinases (EC 2.7.1.1) were genetically analyzed in the mosquitoAedes togoi by agar gel electrophoresis. Enzyme activity was observed anodally in one major banding region (HK-1) on the gel and in another faintly stained region (HK-2). A total of six bands was detected in the HK-1 region. All six bands could be detected in three body parts, head, thorax, and abdomen, of adults with different banding intensities. The third and fourth bands, numbered from the more anodal side, showed the broadest substrate specificity and the greatest enzyme activity throughout development. Genetic analysis of the six HK-1 bands was undertaken on the hypothesis of a single gene locus (or three extremely tightly linked loci). The analysis gave the following gene order:HK-1—4.2±1.8 (recombination units±SE)—To-2—Odh-2—29.5±2.5—sex (M/m)—s. A comparison is made of gene loci for hexokinases among the mosquito speciesCulex pipiens, Aedes aegypti, and this species, along with a comment on linkage relationships betweenHk andOdh (octanol dehydrogenase) loci in threeAedes species.This research was supported by National Institutes of Health Grant AI 16983 and a Grant-in-Aid for Co-operative Research (57340033) from the Ministry of Education, Science and Culture, Japan.