Cloning of two novel P450 cDNAs from German cockroaches, Blattella germanica (L.): CYP6K1 and CYP6J1

Two novel P450 cDNAs, CYP6K1 and CYP6J1,were isolated from German cockroach es, Blattella germanica (L), Both CYP6K1 and CYP6J1 are typical microsomal P450s and their deduced amino acid sequences share a number of common chara cteristics with other members of the P450 superfamily. Both CYP6K1 and CYP6 J1 showed the highest per cent identity (based on the deduced amino acid se quence) to CYP6L1 from B, germanica and CYP6H1, a putative ecdysone 20-hydr oxylase from Locusts migratoria, Using a CYP6K1 probe, two mRNA signals (si milar to2.5 and similar to2.1 kb) were detected in all life stages. Both si gnals were just detectable In the eggs and became stronger in later instars ,The strongest signals were detected in the fifth and sixth instars as well as In adults. These two bands were also detected in the abdomens and in th e remainder of bodies of both male and female adults. Southern blots sugges t the two mRNA bands detected in the Northern blot might be a result of alt ernative splicing. No signal could be detected at any life stage using the CYP6J1 probe, suggesting that CYP6J1 was expressed at a low level.