Characterization of 7-ethoxycoumarin-O-deethylase from malathion resistant and susceptible strains of Drosophila melanogaster

Mixed-function oxidase activity in a D. melanogaster strain carrying at least two closely linked malathion resistance genes on chromosome 3 was compared with the susceptible Canton S strain. The kinetics of O-deethylation of 7-ethoxycoumarin (7-ECD activity) with respect to pH, temperature, substrate and cofactor (NADPH) affinities and the response to metal salts of both strains were similar. The resistant strain had approx. 5-fold greater 7-ECD specific activity, and a parallel increase in total cytochrome P-450 content. Developmental stage, sex and nutritional state affected Drosophila 7-ECD activity. The intestine, fat body and Malpighian tubules contained the largest 7-ECD specific activity. Both susceptible and resistant strains had similar patterns of 7-ECD expression and differed only in total activity. In addition to more cytochrome P-450, the resistant strain had increased amounts of two microsomal, heme-staining polypeptides (Mr = 50 and 54 K after SDS-PAGE). The results suggest that the genetic change in the resistant strain involves the regulation of the Drosophila cytochrome P-450 system.