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Effects of developmental age, ambient temperature, and dietary alterations on Δ 12 desaturase activity in the house cricket, Acheta domesticus
Author(s) -
Batcabe John P.,
Howell Jeffery D.,
Blomquist Gary J.,
Borgeson Charlotte E.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
archives of insect biochemistry and physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.576
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1520-6327
pISSN - 0739-4462
DOI - 10.1002/1520-6327(200007)44:3<112::aid-arch2>3.0.co;2-l
Subject(s) - acheta , biology , cricket , orthoptera , zoology
Double bond formation in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) is mediated by desaturase enzymes. Certain insect species have been found to possess a Δ 12 desaturase, previously thought to occur exclusively in plants. We have begun to characterize this enzyme to determine its relatedness to those found in plants and animals. Desaturase activity can be altered significantly by a number of environmental factors in protozoa, cyanobacteria, plants, fish, and rats. We present evidence here that Δ 12 desaturase activity in Acheta domesticus is affected by developmental stage, starvation, dietary alterations, and fluctuations in ambient temperature. Highest activity is observed during the middle of the penultimate instar and 3 to 6 days after adult emergence. Starvation markedly decreases Δ 12 activity, whereas resumption of feeding on fat‐free or low fat diets increases activity. Arch. Insect Biochem. Physiol. 44:112–119, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.