Ecological significance of induction of broad-substrate cytochrome P450s by natural and synthetic inducers in Helicoverpa zea.
The polyphagous corn earworm Helicoverpa zea relies on cytochrome P450 monooxygenases with broad substrate specificities to cope with the wide diversity of phytochemicals it encounters among its numerous host plants. These enzymes also contribute to the ability of this insect to tolerate toxins from sources other than its hosts, including microbial and synthetic toxins. Although upregulation of xenobiotic-metabolizing P450s in some herbivorous insects is closely linked to host plant toxins, transcriptional and/or post-transcriptional regulation of detoxification in this polyphagous species also appears to be relatively unspecialized. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and metabolic analyses indicate that rare and infrequently encountered phytochemicals, as well as synthetic substances, can enhance metabolic activity in an adaptive fashion against both natural and synthetic toxins.
Wen
Zhimou
Z
Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Illinois, Urbana, 61801, USA. zwen@uga.edu
Zeng
Ren Sen
RS
Niu
Guodong
G
Berenbaum
May R
MR
Schuler
Mary A
MA
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D000818:Animals; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D007306:Insecticides / Q000494:pharmacology; D009036:Moths / Q000201:enzymology*; D013379:Substrate Specificity; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects*; D015854:Up-Regulation; D015262:Xenobiotics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000633:toxicity; D003313:Zea mays / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000633:toxicity
D007306:Insecticides; D015262:Xenobiotics; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System