Isolation of a cluster esterase genes associated with organophosphate resistance in Lucilia cuprina

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Abstract
PCR primers designed from the α-esterase gene cluster of Drosophiia melanogaster have been used to isolate fragments from eight esterase genes In the Australian sheep blowfly, Lucilia cuprina. Phyio-genetic analysis suggests that three are homologues of the αE7, αE8 and αE9 genes of the α-esterase cluster of D. melanogaster. A further three are also probably α-esterases, whereas the remaining two more closely resemble β-esterases. Transcripts for five of the α-esterase genes were detected by PCR in adult midgut, consistent with a role for these enzymes in digestion andlor detoxification. Based on the tissue distribution of these transcripts, LcαE7 may possibly encode the esterase, E3, which is involved in organophosphate resistance.