Abstract
Studies were made of the comparative in vitro metabolism of [14C]xanthotoxin and [14C]aldrin by homogenate preparations of midguts and bodies (carcass minus digestive tract and head) of last-stage larvae of the black swallowtail butterfly (Papilio polyxenes Fabr.) and the fall armyworm [Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith)]. The two substrates were metabolized by 10,000g supernatant microsomal preparations from both species. Evidence gained through the use of a specific inhibitor and cofactor indicated that mixed-function microsomal oxidases were major factors in the metabolism and that the specific activity of this enzyme system was considerably higher in midgut preparations fromP. polyxenes than in similar preparations fromS. frugiperda. Aldrin was metabolized 3–4 times faster byP. polyxenes, and xanthotoxin 6–6.5 times faster.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Berenbaum, M. 1978. Toxicity of a furanocoumarin to armyworms: A case of biosynthetic escape from insect herbivores.Science 201:532–543.
Berenbaum, M. 1981a. Effects of linear furanocoumarins on an adapted specialist insect (Papilio polyxenes).Ecol. Entomol. 6:345–351.
Berenbaum, M. 1981b. Patterns of the furanocoumarin herbivory in the Umbelliferae: Plant chemistry and community structure.Ecology 62:1254–1266.
Bradford, M.M. 1976. A rapid and sensitive method for the quantitation of microgram quantities of protein utilizing the principle of protein-dye binding.Anal. Biochem. 72:248–254.
Brattsten, L.B., Wilkinson, C.F., andEisner, T. 1977. Herbivore-plant interactions: Mixed-function oxidases and secondary plant substances.Science 196:1349–1352.
Bull, D.L., Ivie, G.W., Beier, R.C., Pryor, N.W., andOertli, E.H. 1984. Fate of photosensitizing furanocoumarins in tolerant and sensitive insects.J. Chem. Ecol. 10:893–911.
Ivie, G.W., Bull, D.L., Beier, R.C., Pryor, N.W., andOertli, E.H. 1983. Metabolic detoxification: Mechanism of insect resistance to plant psoralens.Science 221:374–376.
Ivie, G.W., Bull, D.L., Beier, R.C., andPryor, N.W. 1986. Comparative metabolism of [3H]psoralen and [3H]isopsoralen by black swallowtail butterfly (Papilio polyxenes Fabr.) caterpillars.J. Chem. Ecol. 11:869–882.
Kolis, S.J., Williams, T.H., Postma, E.J., Sasso, G.J., Confalone, P.N., andSchwartz, M.A. 1979. The metabolism of [14C]methoxalen by the dog.Drug Metab. Disp. 7:220–225.
Krieger, R.L., Feeny, P.P., andWilkinson, C.F. 1971. Detoxication enzymes in the guts of caterpillars: An evolutionary answer to plant defenses.Science 172:579–581.
Nakatsugawa, T., andMorelli, M.A. 1976. Microsomal oxidation and insecticide metabolism, pp. 61–114,in C.F. Wilkinson (ed.). Insecticide Biochemistry and Physiology. Plenum Press, New York. 768 pp.
Shaver, T.N., andRaulston, J.R. 1971. A soybean-wheat germ diet for rearing the tobacco budworm.Ann. Entomol. Soc. Am. 64:1077–1079.
Yu, S.J. 1982. Induction of microsomal oxidases by host plants in the fall armyworm,Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith).Pestic. Biochem. Physiol. 17:59–67.
Yu, S. 1984. Interactions of allelochemicals with detoxication enzymes of insecticide-susceptible and resistant fall army worms.Pestic. Biochem. Physiol. 22:60–68.
Yu, S., Berry, R.E., andTerriere, L.C. 1979. Host plant stimulation of detoxifying enzymes in a phytophagous insect.Pestic. Biochem. Physiol. 12:280–284.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bull, D.L., Ivie, G.W., Beier, R.C. et al. In vitro metabolism of a linear furanocoumarin (8-methoxypsoralen, xanthotoxin) by mixed-function oxidases of larvae of black swallowtail butterfly and fall armyworm. J Chem Ecol 12, 885–892 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01020258
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01020258