Comparative dehydrogenase activity during the ontogenesis of the yellow fever mosquito Aedes (Stegomyia) aegypti L. (diptera:culicidae)

Abstract

α-GPDH in most active in adults, LDH in third instar larvae, and MDH in third instar larvac. During pre-pupal growth, LDH is the most active enzyme, followed by MDH and α-GPDH; while during post-pupal growth, MDH is most active followed by α-GPDH and LDH. Increased enzyme activity is in response to changing physiological and physical environments, and is due to temporal activation of new gene loci indicated by the production of new α-GPDH and MDH isozymes. LDH activity is probably controlled by the temporal action of regulatory gene(s). Dehydrogenase activity profiles during ontogenesis are probably species-specific.