Modifications in genetic expression were observed in the esterase, leucine aminopeptidase and x-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase systems during ontogenetic development of Anopheles albitarsis. The esterase revealed four regions of activity. Esterase 1 was detected in 4th stage larvae and in pupae. Esterase 2 and 4 were present during all stages of development and esterase 3 appeared mainly in larvae and rarely in pupae. Four regions of activity were also observed in leucine aminopeptidase during ontogeny. The LAP1 and LAP2 were characteristic of larvae and LAP3 was present only in pupae and adults. LAP4 was detected in all three stages, x-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase presented one activity band whose intensity increased with development.
Anopheles albitarsis; isozymes; ontogeny; malaria; Amazon