Ontogenetic and Caste Differentiation in the Expression of Water-soluble Proteins and Some Isozymes in Reticulitermes lucifugus (Rossi, 1792) (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Ontogenetic and caste differentiation in the expression of water-soluble proteins, non-specific esterases, malic enzymes, lactate dehydrogenases and superoxide dismutase in the species Reticulitermes lucifugus, spread out in Bulgaria has been investigated. A total of 41 loci have been analysed. Stage and caste specific protein and isoenzyme expressions have been established as follows: 11 of the protein loci analysed have been characterised by a permanent activity without varying of the product expression in all of the castes; for seven of the protein loci, a constant action has been found in ontogenesis but with a caste-specific variability in their expression; for four of the protein loci analysed differential gene regulation, expressed in gene activity in some of the castes and inactivation in the others has been established; eight of the detected protein loci have demonstrated a ontogenetic and caste-specific expression; four of the sixth esterase loci have been characterised by a permanent action in the course of the ontogenesis; one of the two malic enzyme loci has been expressed only in reproductive castes (neotenics and queen) and the other one has been expressed in all stages of individual development; both lactate dehydrogenase loci have been expressed specifically in ontogenesis, depending on caste differentiation; superoxide dismutase locus has been found in all of the castes and stages of ontogenesis in R. lucifugus.