A Comparison of Proteases Produced by Larvae of Lucilia cuprina (Wiedemann), L. sericata (Meigen), Calliphora augur (F.) and C. stygia (F.) (Diptera: Calliphoridae)

Abstract

Proteases produced by larvae of four blowfly species (Lucilia cuprina, L. sericata, Calliphora augur and C. stygia were compared using isoelectric focusing gels and zymogram overlays. For each of the substrates, little or no variation in zymogram pattern occurred between preparations from the same blowfly species. Interspecific differences were found: the protease patterns produced by the two Lucilia species were closer than those of the two calliphorids. A number of proteases common to all four species were identified. Copyright © 1994, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved