Journal of Environmental Biology

Studies on the role of six enzymes in the metabolism of kinetin in mustard aphid, Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt.)

 

 Pushpinder J. Rup, S.K. Sohal and H. Kaur

Department of Zoology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar-143 005, India

 

(Received: 3 December, 2004 ; Accepted: 7 April, 2005)

 

 

Abstract: The activity of catalase, glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, O-demethylase, ATPase and succinate dehydrogenase, belonging to two main classes of detoxification enzymes (i.e. hydrolases and oxido-reductases),  mostly involved in metabolism and degradation of xenobiotics in insects, were assessed under the  influence  of kinetin, a plant growth regulator            (PGR).  The nymphs (48-52hr old) of Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt.) were permitted to feed on radish plant, Raphanus sativus L. treated with kinetin (400ppm) for 13, 25 and 37hr. It was  found that  the activity of catalase, glutathione peroxidase  and superoxide  dismutase   increased  significantly   when  compared  with the control of the same  age group, which indicated  that these enzymes   might  be  playing   a significant   role in the metabolism  of kinetin  in  this  insect.  The activity of O-demethylase showed an increase upto 25hr of the treatment but it decreased under prolonged treatment whereas the activity of succinate dehydrogenase fluctuated insignificantly. ATPase showed a decrease in the activity with the treatment suggesting kinetin’s interference in synthesis of ATPase.

 

Key words: Detoxification enzymes, Mustard aphid, Lipaphis erysimi (Kalt.), Kinetin.

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