title: Quantitative genetic variation of esterase activity associated with a gene amplification in Culex quinquefasciatus.
abstract: Amplification of the esterase B1 gene is responsible for insecticide resistance in the mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus. We used a mating scheme to isolate chromosomes carrying amplified esterase genes from a long-selected laboratory strain (Tem-R) to determine whether observed variation in esterase activity had a genetic basis. The amplified esterase genes segregated as a block and a possible newly arisen esterase B1 copy-number variant was found among the progeny of females which carried amplified B1 genes on only one homologue. A quantitative genetic analysis found significant genetic variation of esterase activity among families which carried different amplification-bearing chromosomes from the Tem-R strain. Esterase B1 copy-number variation among these Tem-R chromosomes is the most likely basis for the observed genetic variation in esterase activity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, California State University, San Bernadino 92407.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Ferrari
authors.forename: G P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Georghiou
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D003433:Crosses, Genetic; D003465:Culex / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005784:Gene Amplification; D007305:Insecticide Resistance / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D005810:Multigene Family; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012737:Sex Factors
chemical_list: D011506:Proteins