Date of Award:

5-1988

Document Type:

Dissertation

Degree Name:

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department:

Biology

Committee Chair(s)

William A. Brindley

Committee

William A. Brindley

Committee

Raymond T. Sanders

Committee

Ivan G. Palmblad

Committee

Vincent J. Tepedino

Committee

Elizabeth A. Boeker

Committee

Peter E. Wagner

Abstract

The esterases and glutathione S-transferases of a solitary bee, Megachile rotundata (Fab.) (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae), the alfalfa leafcutting bee, were characterized by electrophoresis, substrate specificity, and inhibition studies. Comparisons were made between ages, sexes, and life stages for several classes of substrates and their isomers: aromatic, aliphatic, and thio-esters. Two esterases were found to be allozymes and variable between individuals and sexes. Adults typically possess an esterase that hydrolyzes fluorescent substrates, an organophosphate insensitive esterase, and a series of type 'B' esterases that are very sensitive to organophosphate inhibition. Electrophoretic patterns are different between adults and immatures and are probably related to differences in niche. Differences in substrate specificities, electrophoretic forms, and activities between the sexes is likely a function of reproduction and the fact that females are solely responsible for nest construction. Esterases not only function in detoxication but may have a raison d'etre in various aspects of nest, cell, and cocoon construction. Both esterase and glutathione S-transferase activity decrease with age, but decreases in male activity are significantly greater than in females. Km and Vmax were determined for p-nitrophenylacetate using a mixture of female esterases, and the inhibition constants and mechanisms were determined for four organophosphorus compounds. Their toxicities, ranging from greatest to least, were naled > paraoxon > trichlorfon > oxydemeton methyl. Glutathione S-transferase activity was also assayed over a range of natural product inhibitors (chalcones, flavones) and an herbicide (tridiphane). The alfalfa leafcutting bee is a better detoxifier than the honey bee, but how it, or any other pollinator, fits into plant allelochemic - insect herbivore theory is unclear.

Checksum

5717d4781edc54b123a02c57b7142797

Download

Included in

Biology Commons

Share

COinS

Copyright for this work is retained by the student. If you have any questions regarding the inclusion of this work in the Digital Commons, please email us at .