Esterase polymorphism in the Adriatic sardine (Sardina pilchardus Walb.). 1. Electrophoretic and biochemical properties of the serum and tissue esterases

Abstract

At least four zones of esterase activity designated I, II, III and IV were found after electrophoretic separation of sera and soluble extracts of sardine tissues on starch gel. Each zone consisted of one or more bands that were distinguishable from other zones by electrophoretic mobility, substrate specificity and sensitivity to various inhibitors. Polymorphism was noted in zones I, II and III, while zone IV consisted of a single band. A genetic interpretation of the polymorphism was given for zone I esterases in the tissue, which appears to be controlled by four codominant alleles. The zones designated I, II and IV in the sera and II, III and IV in the liver were characterized as carboxylesterases, zone II in the sera was the only one with cholinesterase activity, while zone I in the liver tissue was unclassifiable.