Carboxylesterase-mediated insecticide resistance: Quantitative increase induces broader metabolic resistance than qualitative change

Carboxylesterases are mainly involved in the mediation of metabolic resistance of many insects to organophosphate (OP) insecticides. Carboxylesterases underwent two divergent evolutionary events: (1) quantitative mechanism characterized by the overproduction of carboxylesterase protein; and (2) qualitative mechanism caused by changes in enzymatic properties because of mutation from glycine/alanine to aspartate at the 151 site (G/A151D) or from tryptophan to leucine at the 271 site (W271L), following the numbering of Drosophila melanogaster AChE. Qualitative mechanism has been observed in few species. However, whether this carboxylesterase mutation mechanism is prevalent in insects remains unclear. In this study, wild-type, G/A151D and W271L mutant carboxylesterases from Culex pipiens and Aphis gossypii were subjected to germline transformation and then transferred to D. melanogaster. These germlines were ubiquitously expressed as induced by tub-Gal4. In carboxylesterase activity assay, the introduced mutant carboxylesterase did not enhance the overall carboxylesterase activity of flies. This result indicated that G/A151D or W271L mutation disrupted the original activities of the enzyme. Less than 1.5-fold OP resistance was only observed in flies expressing A. gossypii mutant carboxylesterases compared with those expressing A. gossypii wild-type carboxylesterase. However, transgenic flies universally showed low resistance to OP insecticides compared with non-transgenic flies. The flies expressing A. gossypii W271L mutant esterase exhibited 1.5-fold resistance to deltamethrin, a pyrethroid insecticide compared with non-transgenic flies. The present transgenic Drosophila system potentially showed that a quantitative increase in carboxylesterases induced broader resistance of insects to insecticides than a qualitative change.

Over-transcription of genes in a parathion-resistant strain of mosquito Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus

Insecticide resistance is an evolutionary adaptation that develops quite quickly in mosquitoes because of the high selection pressure of chemical insecticides, rapid generation time and large population size. Identification of genes associated with insecticide resistance is fundamental to understand the complex processes responsible for resistance. We compared the gene transcriptional profiles of parathion-resistant and -susceptible Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus using a combination of suppression subtractive hybridization and complementary DNA (cDNA) microarray techniques. A total of 278 colonies were selected from the resistant-susceptible mosquito subtractive library, 38 of which showed more than two fold stronger immunoblotting signals in the resistant strain than in the susceptible strain using cDNA microarray selection. The sequencing results showed that the 38 colonies can be matched to 12 genes of C. p. quinquefasciatus. Eight genes were confirmed to be overexpressed by more than two fold in the resistant strain. These genes encode chymotrypsin-1, theta glutathione S-transferase, lipase 3, larval serum protein 1 β chain, cytochrome b, mitochondrial ribosomal large subunit, 28S rRNA, and a protein with unknown function. This study serves as a preliminary attempt to identify new genes associated with organophosphate resistance in this mosquito species and provides insights into the complicated physiological phenomenon of insecticide resistance.

High-throughput genotyping of single-nucleotide polymorphisms in ace-1 gene of mosquitoes using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) plays a vital role in the nervous system of insects and other animal species and serves as the target for many chemical agents such as organophosphate and carbamate insecticides. The mosquito, Culex pipiens complex, a vector of human disease, has evolved to be resistant to insecticides by a limited number of amino acid substitutions in AChE1, which is encoded by the ace-1 gene. The aims of this study are to identify single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) sites in the ace-1 gene of the C. pipiens complex and explore an economical high-throughput method to differentiate the genotypes of these sites in mosquitoes collected in the field. We identified 22 SNP sites in exon regions of the ace-1 gene. Four of them led to non-synonymous mutations, that is, Y163C, G247S, C677S and T682A. We used matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization - time-of-flight mass spectrometry for genotyping at these four sites and another site F416V, which was relevant to insecticide resistance, in 150 mosquitoes collected from 15 field populations. We were able to synchronize analysis of the five SNP sites in each well of a 384-well plate for each individual mosquito, thus decreasing the cost to one-fifth of the routine analysis. Heterozygous genotypes at Y163C and G247S sites were observed in one mosquito. The possible influence of the five SNP sites on the activity or function of the enzyme is discussed based on the predicted tertiary structure of the enzyme.

Characterization of novel esterases in insecticide-resistant mosquitoes

In the mosquito Culex pipiens complex (Diptera: Culicidae), the amplification of carboxylesterase genes is an important mechanism providing resistance to organophosphate insecticides. Various amplified alleles at the Ester locus have been identified over the world. In this study, two newly detected Ester alleles, Ester(B10) and Ester(11) (including associated Ester(A11) and Ester(B11)), coding for esterases B10 and A11-B11, respectively, are characterized qualitatively and quantitatively. A high molecular identity is observed both at the nucleotide level and at the deduced amino acid level among the known Ester alleles. Real-time quantitative PCR results suggest 2.5-fold amplification of the Ester(B10) allele, 36.5-fold amplification of the Ester(A11) allele, and 19.1-fold amplification of the Ester(B11) allele. The ca. 2-fold difference in amplification level between Ester(A11) and Ester(B11) may indicate a new model for the esterase amplification. Bioassays show that these two resistant Ester alleles only can confer moderate or low resistance to the tested organophosphate insecticides.

[Genotypes, allele frequencies and dynamic distribution on resistance-associated esterase genes of Culex pipiens complex in Hangzhou]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the genotypes , allele frequencies and dynamic distribution on resistance associated esterase genes of Culex pipiens complex in Hangzhou.

METHODS

The PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) assay was applied to type the resistance associated esterase genes, and dynamic surveillance on frequencies of the resistance associated esterase gene of natural population of Culex pipiens complex in Hangzhou during 2003-2005, and phenotype of the resistance associated esterase genes were detected by esterase starch gel electrophoresis technique.

RESULTS

The PCR-RFLP assay of esterase allele genes for three consecutive years disclosed four esterase genotypes, namely, the world-wide highly active homozygous Est beta 1(1) (50%-54%), homozygous Est beta 2 (29%-34%), heterozygous Est beta 1(1)/beta 2 (5%-10%) and Est beta N (3.13%) of a new homozygous genotype. The research of the resistance associated esterase genes phenotype in natural population of Culex pipiens complex in Hangzhou in 2005 with esterase starch gel electrophoresis technique revealed four major types, namely, Est beta 1(1) (61%), Est alpha 2/beta 2 (12%), Est alpha 8/beta 8 (7%) and sensitive phenotype (29%).

CONCLUSION

There should be various resistance associated esterase genotypes in natural population of Culex pipiens complex in Hangzhou. During the period of 2003-2005, Est beta 1(1) was the major type; Est alpha 2/beta 2 was the second. Est beta N was a new esterase genotype detected in 2005 only with a mere percentage of 3.13%. As for its resistance to the new insecticide, a follow-up study should be needed. The molecular typing of the amplified esterase gene should be consistent with the resistance associated esterase genes phenotype.

A genetically engineered Escherichia coli, expressing the fusion protein of green fluorescent protein and carboxylesterase B1, can be easily detected in the environment following degradation of pesticide residues

Genetically engineered Escherichia coli, expressing the fusion protein of enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) and carboxylesterase B1 (CarE B1), was successfully constructed by cloning the genes into the pET-28b vector and then transforming E. coli BL21 (DE3). Expression of the fusion protein was induced in E. coli BL21 (DE3) which could then degrade environmental pesticides and could be easily detected using fluorescence spectrophotometry or by the naked eye in daylight.

Do mosquitoes acquire organophosphate resistance by functional changes in carboxylesterases?

Carboxylesterase-based metabolic resistance to organophosphates (OPs) in insects has been shown to originate either from mutations in esterase-encoding sequences or from amplification of esterase genes. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that mosquitoes can acquire OP resistance by functional changes in carboxylesterases. Mutations were introduced into the esterase B1 of mosquito Culex pipiens by site-directed mutagenesis at positions 110 and 224. Three single mutants (G110D, W224L, and W224S) and two double mutants (G110D/W224L and G110D/W224S) were expressed and purified. All five mutants lost native carboxylesterase activity. Mutation W224L converted esterase B1 to an OP hydrolase and increased its malathion carboxylesterase activity. No obvious OP hydrolysis was observed by G110D or W224S. Our data strongly support our hypothesis and suggest that mutation W224L might occur in natural populations of mosquitoes. Sequence comparison shows that the site 224 is especially highly conserved among various insect carboxylesterases. This leads to another hypothesis: that the position 224 plays a key role in insect carboxylesterases' switching from their native physiological functions to other functional niches under selection pressure exerted by insecticides.

Filariasis vector in China: insecticide resistance and population structure of mosquito Culex pipiens complex

Seven field populations of mosquito Culex pipiens complex (Diptera: Culicidae) were collected from four provinces of China. The resistance status of larvae to dichlorvos, parathion, chlorpyrifos, fenobucarb (BPMC) and propoxur were determined by bioassays, disclosing that they were more resistant to organophosphate (moderate or low resistance) than to carbamate (low or no significant resistance) insecticides. Starch gel electrophoresis confirmed the presence and distribution of overproduced esterases B1, A2-B2, A8-B8 and A9-B9, the frequencies of which varied according to their regional origins. Electrophoretic polymorphism at four putatively neutral loci (got-1, got-2, pgi and pgm) showed that the overall genetic differentiation found across all populations was significantly large (Fst = 0.28, P < 10(-4)), and genetic exchange was slightly restricted by distance isolation (P = 0.018).

Insecticide resistance in vector mosquitoes in China

Because of their special behaviour, physiology and close relationship with humans, mosquitoes act as one of the most important vectors of human diseases, such as filariasis, Japanese encephalitis, dengue and malaria. The major vector mosquitoes are members of the Culex, Aedes and Anopheles genera. Insecticides play important roles in agricultural production and public health, especially in a country with a huge human population, like China. Large quantities of four classes of insecticides, organochlorines, organophosphates, carbamates and pyrethroids, are applied annually to fields or indoors in China, directly or indirectly bringing heavy selection pressure on vector populations. The seven major species of vector mosquito in China are the Culex pipiens L. complex, C. tritaeniorhynchus Giles, Anopheles sinensis Wied., A. minimus Theobald, A. anthropophagus Xu & Feng, Aedes albopictus (Skuse) and Ae. aegypti L., and all have evolved resistance to all the above types of insecticide except the carbamates. The degree of resistance varies among mosquito species, insecticide classes and regions. This review summarizes the resistance status of these important vector mosquitoes, according to data reported since the 1990s, in order to improve resistance management and epidemic disease control, and to communicate this information from China to the wider community.

Recent emergence of insensitive acetylcholinesterase in Chinese populations of the mosquito Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae)

Organophosphate/carbamate target resistance has emerged in Culex pipiens L. (Diptera: Culicidae), the vector of Wuchereria bancrofti and West Nile virus (family Flaviviridae, genus Flavivirus) in China. The insensitive acetylcholinesterase was detected in only one of 20 samples collected on a north-to-south transect. According to previous findings, a unique mutation, G119S in the ace-1 gene, explained this high insensitivity. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that the mutation G119S recently detected in China results from an independent mutation event. The G119S mutation thus occurred at least three times independently within the Cx. pipiens complex, once in the temperate (Cx. p. pipiens) and twice in the tropical form (Cx. p. quinquefasciatus). Bioassays performed with a purified G119S strain indicated that this substitution was associated with high levels of resistance to chlorpyrifos, fenitrothion, malathion, and parathion, but low levels of resistance to dichlorvos, trichlorfon, and fenthion. Hence, it is possible that in China, dichlorvos, trichlorfon, and fenthion will still achieve effective control even in the presence of the G119S mutation.

Variation of Musca domestica L. acetylcholinesterase in Danish housefly populations

Anti-cholinesterase resistance is in many cases caused by modified acetylcholinesterase (MACE). A comparison was made of toxicological data and AChE activity gathered from 21 field populations and nine laboratory strains of houseflies, Musca domestica L., to elucidate the best way of generating data to provide advice for management strategies and gathering information for resistance risk assessment on the organophosphates azamethiphos and dimethoate and the carbamate methomyl, which have been the primary insecticides used against adult houseflies in Denmark. Cluster analysis was performed and > 2000 houseflies were assigned to one of three phenotypes based on total acetylcholinesterase activity as well as inhibition by azamethiphos, methomyl or omethoate. A cluster, i.e. a phenotype, with high total AChE activity and high sensitivity to azamethiphos and less sensitivity to inhibition by methomyl and omethoate was shown to be linked to methomyl resistance. It was not possible to define any clusters that could be linked to azamethiphos or dimethoate resistance. The five mutations V180L, G262A, G262V, F327Y and G365A causing anticholinesterase resistance in houseflies were all identified in the Danish housefly strains. The data are very heterogeneous, and a correlation of molecular genetic background and resistance of phenotypes is not obvious with the available data.

[Rapid amplification of cDNA end and its application]

Rapid amplification of cDNA end (RACE) technique is a method of which the 3' and 5' fragments of cDNA can be rapidly obtained. In this review, the advantages and shortcomings RACE manipulation were pointed out and some important technical points in RACE protocols in the previous literatures were summarized.

Detoxification of organophosphorus compounds by recombinant carboxylesterase from an insecticide-resistant mosquito and oxime-induced amplification of enzyme activity

Currently, bioremediation is a promising approach to the degradation of environmental pollutants. Here we describe the application of the recombinant insecticide-resistant mosquito carboxylesterase B1 to detoxify organophosphorous compounds. However, this approach has a major limitation: 1:1 stoichiometry of the enzyme detoxification of those organophosphorous compounds containing no carboxyl ester bonds, such as paraoxon, chlorpyrifos etc. To improve the effectiveness of the enzymatic detoxification of organophosphorous compounds, we used a combination of carboxylesterase B1 with the uncharged oxime diacetylmonoxime. It was demonstrated that the repeated addition of 20 times the molar concentration of paraoxon to carboxylesterase B1 every 2 h in the presence of 4 mM diacetylmonoxime did not result in significant inhibition of the enzyme. The stoichiometry of enzyme detoxification was higher than 45:1 and 20:1 for paraoxon and chlorpyrifos, respectively. The kinetic experiments on reactivation of organophosphorus compound-inhibited carboxylesterase B1 showed that the half-life for paraoxon- and chlorpyrifos-inhibited carboxylesterase reactivation is 0.75 and 0.88 h, respectively. Using the recombinant insecticide-resistant mosquito carboxylesterase with oxime is an effective approach for detoxification of organophosphorous compounds.

[Genetic diversity of isoenzyme in Culex pipiens complex field populations sampling from distinct area of China]

Eight field populations of Culex pipiens complex collected from five provinces (Guangdong, Henan, Shandong, Beijing and Yunnan) in 2001 were used to study genetic diversity by starch gel electrophoresis. Data from seven loci (ME,MDH-1,MDH-2,MDH-3,GPD,EST-2,EST-3) of four isozymes were analyzed by software Biosys2.0 and FSTAT(Version 2.9.3). The results were as follows: (1) The values of He (from 0.098 to 0.41) indicated genetic variabilities of different degree in populations.(2)The low level of gene flow (Nm=0.64) could not prevent genetic drift to cause the gene differentiation between populations. The genetic diversity between populations attributed to the genetic diversity of total populations is small (Gst =0.303), and the great part is accumulated within populations (Hs/Dst=2). (3) The genetic structure of Culex pipiens complex population was the isolation-by-distance model. (4) The genetic identity (or genetic distance) revealed the scale of genetic differentiation between populations which related to the collection sites.

[Cloning and sequence analysis of MYB transcriptional regulator SmP gene of Saussurea medusa Maxim]

A full-length cDNA encoding a MYB-related regulatory gene was isolated from a cDNA library prepared from mRNAs of the red line callus of S. medusa by TD-PCR. The cDNA, designated SmP, is 969 nucleotides long and has an open reading frame of 771 bp with a deduced amino acid sequence of 256 residues. The putative protein of SmP has two typical conversed R2R3-Myb DNA-binding domains in N-terminal and displays a rather high degree of similarity to OsMYB from rice and LBMI from tobacco, showing 73% and 70% identity within the DNA-binding domains. However, the C-terminal domain of the SmP protein does not show obvious similarity to any other known protein sequence. It is rich in hydrophilic amino acids, especially in serine residues (18.38%), partly organized in homopolymeric stretches, a feature often found in activation domain of transcription factors.

Protection of chickens against highly lethal H5N1 and H7N1 avian influenza viruses with a recombinant fowlpox virus co-expressing H5 haemagglutinin and N1 neuraminidase genes

Inactivated whole avian influenza virus (AIV) vaccine provides protection against homologous haemagglutinin (HA) subtype virus, but poor protection against a heterologous HA virus. Moreover, it induces chickens to produce antibodies to cross-reactive antigens, especially nucleoprotein, which is limits AIV serological surveillance. In this study, a recombinant fowlpox virus co-expressing HA (H5 subtype) and NA (NI subtype)genes of AIV was evaluated for its ability to protect chickens against intramuscular challenge with a lethal dose of highly pathogenic (HP) AIV. Susceptible chickens were also vaccinated by wing-web puncture with the parent fowlpox vaccine virus. Following challenge 4 weeks later with HPAIV, all chickens vaccinated with recombinant virus were protected, while the chickens vaccinated with either the unaltered parent fowlpox vaccine virus or unvaccinated controls experienced 100% mortality following challenge. This protection was accompanied by the high levels of specific antibody to the respective components of the recombinant vaccine. The above results showed that rFPV-HA-NA could be a potential vaccine to replace current inactivated vaccines for preventing AI.

Identification and characterization of novel organophosphate detoxifying esterase alleles in the Guangzhou area of China

In the mosquito Culex pipiens, various alleles at the Ester locus provide insecticide resistance. These resistance alleles display a heterogeneous geographical distribution, particularly in China, where they are highly diverse. A new resistance allele, Ester9, coding for the overproduced esterases A9 and B9, is characterized and compared to the known resistant allele Ester8 isolated from the same southern China sample (from Guangzhou). Both alleles provide low but significant resistance to chlorpyrifos (relative synergism ratio [RSR] > 3) and temephos (RSR = 1.4), which is consistent with the low level of gene amplification they display (15 copies for Ester9 and 4 copies for Ester8). The full genomic sequence of the allele coding A8 and A9 is presented, which allowed us to set up a polymerase chain reaction assay to specifically identify these alleles. The peculiar situation in southern China, where numerous resistance alleles coexist, is discussed in comparison with the Mediterranean situation, the only one with a similar diversity of overproduced esterases.

[Cloning and fusion expression of detoxifying gene in Escherichia coli]

In insects, esterases play an important role in the degradation of organophosphate (OP) and Carbamate (CB) insecticides. The ability of esterase B1 to degrading OP and CB insecticides opens broad prospect of using it in programs to the insecticide pollution. OPs can be detoxified by hydrolysis of their phosphoester bonds, pyrethroids and some OPs like malathion, by hydrolysis of their carboxylester bonds, and diverse carbamate insecticides, herbicides and fungicides by hydrolysis of amide or other similar bonds. Most of the candidate bioremediation enzymes identified to date have been hydrolases. In recent years, we have focused our work on the transfer of a detoxifying esterase B1 gene from mosquito into E. coli and explored the possibility of using the detoxified enzymes in environmental protection. 5' initial of esterase B1 cDNA was cloned by RT-PCR and sequenced consequently. After the combination of 5' initial and 3' terminal fragment of esterase B1 cDNA, the recombinant vector pET-ESTB1 was constructed and transformed into E. coli BL21. A 60 kD protein was induced by IPTG and its expression was temperature-dependent. After 12 h induction, the target protein occupied 27% of the total protein. A pure recombinant protein was obtained by purification, and was detected with 10% SDS-PAGE. The results showed that 22.1% of malathion was degraded by crude detoxification enzyme in 15 mins, demonstrated a high degradation property. This research provides a novel approach, which takes the advantages of eucaryotes for bioremediation of pesticide pollutions.

[Cloning and high level expression of mosquito detoxifying gene]

The full-length cDNA of mosquito esterase B1 had been isolated, and subcloned into pBV220. The recombinant vector pBV220B1 was constructed and transformed into E. coli DH5 alpha. A 60 kD protein was induced by 42 degrees C and its expression was temperature-dependent. After 6 h induction, the target protein occupied 50% of the total protein. The expressed product existed in both inclusion body and soluble proteins in the cells. The amount of the soluble detoxifying enzyme increased along with the induction time. The data of detoxifying experiments indicated that the detoxifying enzyme in expression strain of E. coli can detoxified toxicity of organophosphate insecticides, it showed a clear detoxifying affect on hens poisoned by organophosphate insecticides.

Amplified esterases B1 and A2-B2 in field populations of Culex pipiens from China

The main organophosphate (OP) resistance mechanism in the Culex pipiens complex is increased activity of esterases A and B. Fourth-stage larvae from 2 field populations of C. pipiens from Gaomi and Kunming, China, were compared for tolerance to parathion, dichlorovos (OP), and bassa (carbamate) insecticides. Both populations were resistant to OPs but not to bassa. Starch gel electrophoresis indicated that elevated esterase activity was correlated with OP resistance. High frequencies of amplified esterase genes B1 and A2-B2 (0.85 and 0.50) were discovered in Gaomi and Kunming, respectively. However, only low levels of gene amplification were detected.

[Cloning and expression of the detoxifying gene in cyanobacteria]

Plasmid pRL-B1 was constructed from detoxifying gene(called B1) of pesticide resistant Culex and from plasmid pRL-439 containing the strong promoter PpsbA. E. coli-cyanobacteria shuttle expression plasmid pDC-B1 was constructed from shuttle vector pDC-8 and from recombinant plasmid pRL-B1, then it was transferred into Synechococcus sp. PCC7942 by triparental conjugative transfer. The existence of B1 was detected by Southern analysis, and the expression of B1 was confirmed by enzyme activity analysis of detoxification of transgenic cyanobacteria. Experimental results indicated that the transgenic cyanobacteria could degrade beta-naphthyl acetate(beta-NA), a specific substrate of esterase. The enzyme activity of transgenic strain was higher than that of the wild type. It may be the first report on transformation of detoxify gene of pesticide resistant culex into Synechococcus strain.

New esterase enzymes involved in organophosphate resistance in Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae) from Guang Zhou, China

Organophosphate (OP) insecticides have been used widely to control Culex pipiens L. populations and this has led to the emergence of OP-resistance. Predominantly, resistance in Cx. pipiens is caused by over-production of nonspecific esterases, such as Est beta 1(1) and Est alpha 2(1)/beta 2(1). These esterases confer multiple resistance to organophosphorus and carbamate insecticides. To define the esterases in Chinese Cx. pipiens, restriction fragment-length polymorphism analysis was performed at the esterase beta locus. A new esterase haplotype (Est beta 8) was found. Starch gel electrophoresis indicated that Est beta 8 was coelevated with a novel Est alpha 8. This article reports Est alpha 8/beta 8 esterase-mediated resistance in Cx. pipiens complex.

A new esterase gene amplification involved in OP resistance in Culex pipiens mosquitoes from China

Two overproduced esterases (A8 and B8) not previously described were found in southern China. They provide a low resistance level to organophosphate (OP) insecticides, and correspond to a coamplification of both esterase loci (Est-2 and Est-3) classically involved in OP resistance for this mosquito species. This coamplification is distinct from all other similar events thus far reported. The peculiar situation in southern China, where numerous OP resistance alleles at these two loci were found, is discussed in comparison with the Mediterranean situation, the only one with a similar diversity of overproduced esterases.

Esterase polymorphism in insecticide susceptible populations of the mosquito Culex pipiens

Gene amplification involving a particular haplotype has been found at the esterase B locus of mosquitoes from various countries. This similarity has been explained by a unique amplification event followed by migration and selection by organophosphate (OP) insecticides. This assumes that the polymorphism of non-amplified esterase haplotypes is so large that the chance of independent amplification in two distinct populations is negligible. In order to test this assumption, three susceptible populations from northern Europe were sampled and analysed for esterase and haplotype polymorphism. At the protein level, 18 and 16 alleles were found for esterase A and B respectively in one French population (n = 74), and 16 and 14 in an English one (n = 50). At the DNA level, 24 alleles at the esterase B locus were detected in a sample of 72 mosquitoes from one population, with the use of only one restriction enzyme (EcoR V). Restriction maps of two non-amplified haplotypes randomly sampled from a single breeding site in Belgium were built with six restriction enzymes. 60% of all restriction sites were different among the two maps. The huge polymorphism found in northern Europe requires specific explanations for its stability, but it considerably strengthens the hypothesis of migration of amplified haplotypes.

The same esterase B1 haplotype is amplified in insecticide-resistant mosquitoes of the Culex pipiens complex from the Americas and China

In Culex pipiens, overproduction of nonspecific esterases is a common mechanism of resistance to organophosphate insecticides. The esterases are attributed to closely linked loci named A and B, and overproduction of all esterases B is due to gene amplification. In order to determine if the esterase B1 identified by electrophoretic studies in Culex pipiens mosquitoes from different countries is overproduced due to the amplification of the same DNA haplotype, the amplified region encompassing the structural esterase B1 gene was characterized by restriction mapping and RFLP. The same amplified haplotype was found in mosquitoes with an esterase B1 protein, independently of their geographical origin: French Guiana, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, California and China. Large variations in amplification levels were observed. It is concluded that B1 amplification has a unique origin, either in America or in Asia, and has subsequently spread by migration. This migration is more limited than that of A2-B2 esterases, since B1 is confined to the Americas, the Caribbean and part of China, whereas the A2-B2 distribution now includes the Americas, the Caribbean, Asia, Africa, the Pacific Islands and Europe.

Molecular and functional properties of EF-Tu from Calderobacterium hydrogenophilum

Protein synthesis elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu) was purified from an extreme thermophilic hydrogen-oxidizing bacterium Calderobacterium hydrogenophilum. The relative molecular mass of EF-Tu. GDP was 51,000. The factor was heat stable and lost only 50% of its activity after heating at 80 degrees C for 5 min. Native and reduced EF-Tu or EF-Tu. GDP contained one SH-reactive group. The elongation factors from C. hydrogenophilum and E. coli were shown to be immunologically identical. From the Southern hybridization analysis seems to suggest that chromosome DNA of C. hydrogenophilum has two tuf genes.

Elongation factor Tu of the extreme thermophilic hydrogen oxidizing bacterium Calderobacterium hydrogenophilum

Protein synthesis elongation factor Tu has been purified from an extreme thermophilic hydrogen oxidizing bacterium Calderobacterium hydrogenophilum. The molecular mass of EF-Tu. GDP is 51,000. The factor is heat stable and loses only 50% of its activity after heating for 5 min at 80 degrees C. Under mild conditions trypsin cleaved EF-Tu. GDP to four main fragments. Only one fragment of Mr = 20,000 had a mobility similar to the trypsin fragment "B" of Escherichia coli EF-Tu. Other peptide fragments of E. coli and C. hydrogenophilum EF-Tu differed in size, but native preparations of both factors are immunologically similar.