Genetic studies on hexokinase in the mosquito Aedes togoi

Abstract

Hexokinases (EC 2.7.1.1) were genetically analyzed in the mosquito Aedes togoi by agar gel electrophoresis. Enzyme activity was observed anodally in one major banding region (HK-1) on the gel and in another faintly stained region (HK-2). A total of six bands was detected in the HK-1 region. All six bands could be detected in three body parts, head, thorax, and abdomen, of adults with different banding intensities. The third and fourth bands, numbered from the more anodal side, showed the broadest substrate specificity and the greatest enzyme activity throughout development. Genetic analysis of the six HK-1 bands was undertaken on the hypothesis of a single gene locus (or three extremely tightly linked loci). The analysis gave the following gene order: HK-1--4.2 +/- 1.8 (recombination units +/- SE)--To-2--Odh-2--29.5 +/- 2.5--sex (M/m)--s. A comparison is made of gene loci for hexokinases among the mosquito species Culex pipiens, Aedes aegypti, and this species, along with a comment on linkage relationships between Hk and Odh (octanol dehydrogenase) loci in three Aedes species.