Abstract
Three distinct malathion carboxylesterase (MCE) phenotypes have been identified among strains ofLucilia cuprina. The high-activity phenotype shows 1.6-and 33-fold more MCE specific activity than the intermediate- and low-activity phenotypes, respectively. Flies with high MCE activity are 1000-fold more resistant to malathion than flies with either low or intermediate MCE phenotypes, which are equally susceptible. High and low MCE specific activity are allelic and encoded by theRmal gene on chromosome 4.Rmal is clustered within one map unit of two other esterase genes,Rop1 andE9, which are implicated in resistance to other organophosphate insecticides. Intermediate MCE specific activity is also inherited within the cluster, although its allelism toRmal, Rop1, orE9 is unclear. The cluster does not contain the gene for the hemolymph esterase E4, which maps 6.1 map units fromRop1, on the other side of thebubbled wing marker. The cluster appears to be homologous to part of a tandem array of 11 esterase genes on chromosome 3R ofDrosophila melanogaster.
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Smyth, KA., Russell, R.J. & Oakeshott, J.G. A cluster of at least three esterase genes inLucilia cuprina includes malathion carboxylesterase and two other esterases implicated in resistance to organophosphates. Biochem Genet 32, 437–453 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00566064
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00566064