6533b873fe1ef96bd12d57f9

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Separation by FPLC chromatofocusing of UDP-glucosyltransferases from three developmental stages of Drosophila melanogaster.

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Variation of UDP-glucosyltransferase activity, during Drosophila melanogaster development, was analyzed. The endogenous metabolite xanthurenic acid and the xenobiotic compounds 1-naphthol and 2-naphthol were used as substrates. Developmentally regulated differences were observed for the three substrates, suggesting the presence of UDP-glucosyltransferase isoenzymes. This was further confirmed by FPLC chromatofocusing on a Mono P column: seven peaks of UDP-glucosyltransferase activity (pHs: ≥6.3, 5.8, 5.5, 4.9, 4.5, 4.2, ≤4.0) with either single or overlapping substrate specificity were detected. A single xanthurenic acid:UDP-glucosyltransferase activity (pl 5.8) was found throughout development. In contrast, a gradual increase in the number of 2-napthol:UDP-glucosyltransferase isoenzymes (pl from 6.3 to 4.0) was observed during development, whereas no isoenzymes specific for 1-naphthol were resolved. Based on the distribution and substrate specificity of the eluted peaks in the three developmental stages analyzed, the presence of seven or possibly eight UDP-glucosyltransferase isoenzymes is proposed. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 34:347–358, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.