Characterization of Drosophila melanogaster cytochrome P450 genes

Abstract

Cytochrome P450s form a large and diverse family of hemecontaining proteins capable of carrying out many different enzymatic reactions. In both mammals and plants, some P450s are known to carry out reactions essential for processes such as hormone synthesis, while other P450s are involved in the detoxification of environmental compounds. In general, functions of insect P450s are less well understood. We characterized Drosophila melanogaster P450 expression patterns in embryos and 2 stages of third instar larvae. We identified numerous P450s expressed in the fat body, Malpighian (renal) tubules, and in distinct regions of the midgut, consistent with hypothesized roles in detoxification processes, and other P450s expressed in organs such as the gonads, corpora allata, oenocytes, hindgut, and brain. Combining expression pattern data with an RNA interference lethality screen of individual P450s, we identify candidate P450s essential for developmental processes and distinguish them from P450s with potential functions in detoxification.detoxification genes ͉ in situ hybridization ͉ insecticide resistance ͉ multigene family ͉ RNAi

Identification and validation of a gene causing cross-resistance between insecticide classes inAnopheles gambiaefrom Ghana

“…Metabolism assays performed in the present study suggest recombinant CYP6M2 is also capable of metabolizing the organochlorine insecticide DDT, alluding to an additional role for this P450 in DDT resistance. In vivo, maximal expression of CYP6M2 is reported in the Malpighian tubules (18), a major site of xenobiotic detoxification in insects (27)(28)(29)(30), supporting a role in insecticide clearance.…”

Identification of downstream targets of the Bone Morphogenetic Protein pathway in the Drosophila nervous system

“…The gene most changed by loss of wit signaling is Cyp6a17. Cytochrome P450 family members catalyze oxidative reactions (oxidation and hydroxylation) in the biosynthesis of the insect hormone ecdysone, and also participate in the degradation and detoxification of drugs and metabolites (Chung et al, 2009). How a cytochrome P450 might be related to the wit mutant phenotype is unclear, although considering that wit mutants fail to eclose it is tempting to speculate on faulty hormonal synthesis or degradation (ecdysone, juvenile hormone) that may influence some of the secondary changes required upon metamorphosis to accomplish eclosion behavior, a process that is disrupted in wit mutants.…”

Molecular characterization of two novel deltamethrin‐inducible P450 genes from Liposcelis bostrychophila Badonnel (Psocoptera: Liposcelididae)

“…CYP6B9 in H. zea, which metabolizes host plant allelochemicals, shows high expression only in midgut tissue . Numerous P450s expressed in the fat body, Malpighian tubules, and in distinct regions of the midgut as well as other P450s expressed in organs such as the gonads, corpora allata, oenocytes, hindgut, and brain were identified in D. melanogaster (Chung et al, 2009). The locations of P450s were consistent with hypothesized roles in detoxification and other physiological processes.…”

“…P450s show life stage-specific or tissue-specific expression patterns depending on specific functions (Chung et al, 2009). For instance, CYP6A1 in the house fly is expressed in all developmental stages (Cohen and Feyereisen, 1995), while CYP6D1 is adult specific (Nikou et al, 2003).…”