The Detection of Mutations in Drosophila melanogaster

Earlier work in this field [28] indicated that acetylcholinesterase enzymes would be suitable biomolecules for the purpose of pesticide detection, however, it was found that the sensitivity of the method varied with the type and source of cholinesterase used. Therefore the initial thrust of this work was the development of a range of enzymes via selective mutations of the Drosophila melanogaster acetylcholinesterase Dm. AChE. For example mutations of the (Dm. AChE) were made by site-directed mutagenesis expressed within baculovirus [29]. The acetylcholinesterases were then purified by affinity chromatography [30]. Different strategies were used to obtain these mutants, namely (i) substitution of amino acids at positions found mutated in AChE from insects resistant to insecticide, (ii) mutations of amino acids at positions suggested by 3-D structural analysis of the active site,... 

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