Biochemical evidence for the existence of a null allele at the leucine aminopeptidase-2 (Lap-2) locus in the oyster Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin)

The existence of a null activity allele at the leucine aminopeptidase-2 (Lap-2) locus in the oyster Crassostrea virginica (Gmelin) was previously inferred from anomalous segregation patterns observed in offspring from pair crosses, and from the occurrence of individuals lacking Lap-2 bands on gels (presumed null homozygotes). The present research was done to determine whether leucine aminopeptidase specific activity was significantly reduced in oysters presumed from breeding experiments to be heterozygous for a Lap-2 null allele. Approximately thirty 4-month-old oysters from each of two crosses were analyzed. In each cross, LAP specific activity was significantly reduced (P < 0.001) in active/null heterozygotes, compared with full-sib oysters that were active/active heterozygotes. On average, active/null heterozygotes had 57% of the activity of the corresponding active/active heterozygotes.Key words: oysters, null allele, leucine aminopeptidase.

Inheritance of alleles at ten enzymatic loci of the freshwater snail Stagnicola elodes (Basommatophora: Lymnaeidae)

SummaryThe inheritance of alleles at ten enzyme loci of Stagnicola elodes (Lymnaeidae) was analysed by laboratory crosses. Alleles for alanine aminopeptidase (2 alleles), leucine aminopeptidase (2 alleles), aspartate aminotransferase (2 alleles), β-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase-1 (4 alleles), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (2 alleles), esterase-2 (2 alleles), esterase-3 (2 alleles), esterase-7 (2 alleles), esterase-13 (2 alleles) and esterase-18 (2 alleles) segregate in the F2 generation according to Mendelian expectations. Contingency X2 tests for linkage done on F2 progeny from crosses between strains homozygous for alternate alleles at two loci showed that β-hydroxybutyrate dehydrogenase-1, esterase-13 and esterase-18 are presumably linked.