Carboxylesterase-2 in the development of the loach (Misgurnus fossilis L.).

Two esterases splitting alpha-naphthylacetate have been found in the tissues of adult loaches and in embryos. These were identified as arylesterase (E-1) (arylester hydrolase, E.C. 3.1.1.2) and carboxylesterase (E-2) (carboxylic ester hydrolase, E.C. 3.1.1.1.). In unfertilized loach eggs E-1 and E-2 synthesized during oogenesis were found. Active E-2 synthesized under the control of E-2 genes of the embryo appeared in embryos from the stage of 40-50 h of development. Maternal E-2 molecules synthesized in oogenesis or on the stored templates in embryogenesis persisted in larvae up to days 5-6 of development. Two genes controlling the synthesis of two forms of E-2 differing in electric mobility were found in the loach population from the delta of the Danube. The genes for fast and slow E-2 were shown to segregate in meiosis and to be allelic.