Esterase D in Cebus apella from the Amazonian region*

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Abstract
Genetic variation of proteins were studied both in humans and catarrhine primates but rarely in New World species. Considering the great possibilities offered by protein variations as genetic markers in systematic and evolutionary studies in this group of organisms, there is special interest in the investigation of genetic polymorphisms of blood proteins in Amazonian primates. The electrophoretic patterns of erythrocyte esterases obtained from blood samples of 57 C. apella specimens are described. Blood hemolysates from Cebus display 4 main sets of bands of azo-coupled stained gels. These bands are identified as esterases P, A1, A2 and B by their electrophoretic migration, substrate specificity and eserine reaction. The use of the fluorogenic reagent 4-methylumbelliferyl acetate revealed the presence of a 5th set of enzymes not detected by the azo-coupled staining method. This set of enzymes, probably a polymorphic genetic system, was named ESD as in humans.

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