Characterization of an Antennal Esterase Exhibiting Age-Related and Sex-Limited Activity Differences Among Adults of Diabrotica virgifera virgifera (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Author： TRIEBOLD BEVERLY McDONALD I. C. GABRIELSON D. A. JOHNSON O. A.

Publisher： Entomological Society of America

ISSN： 1938-2901

Source： Annals of the Entomological Society of America, Vol.85, Iss.6, 1992-11, pp. : 755-766

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Abstract

Studies were performed to examine the properties of an antennal esterase system (Est-a) exhibiting age-related expression differences between the sexes of adult Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte. Analytically pure Est-a preparations were recovered using a combination of protein precipitation, chromatographic, and electrophoretic separation techniques. Characterization indicated that Est-a is both an acetylesterase (designated EC 3.1.1.6 according to International Union of Biochemistry Enzyme Commission nomenclature) and a glycoprotein having a relative molecular weight of 39,700 and a pI of 4.6. Age-related increases in Est-a staining intensities were observed in zymograms of male (but not female) antennae. Spectrophotometric assays of antennal extracts showed that Est-a activity in males increased ≍6.5 times over that of females by 8–9 d after emergence. Collective data from a number of assays suggested that the zymogram expression of a two-banded Est-a phenotype results from nongenetic changes in the structure of the enzyme.