Induction of carboxylesterase isozymes in Bombyx mori by E. coli infection

Many proteins, including antibacterial peptides in the hemolymph, are induc ed by bacterial infections. We found two bacterially inducible carboxyleste rases (CEs) in the hemolymph of the silkworm, Bombyx mori. CEs Est-1 and 2 were induced by lipopolysaccharide injection after 6 hours as well as E. co li infection. We found that bacterially inducible CEs clearly differed from noninducible CEs, including juvenile hormone esterases, in pI values, migr ation on analytical native PAGE, and inhibitor sensitivity. We are now stud ying the features and functions of these CEs. (C) 1999 Published by Elsevie r Science Ltd. All rights reserved.