O objetivo deste trabalho foi analisar o padrão de atividade da esterase nos estágios de desenvolvimento de Rhipicephalus microplus por meio de eletroforese em gel de poliacrilamida não desnaturante, com uso de coloração específica para esterase. Observou-se a presença de nove regiões com atividade esterásica, coradas tanto pelo alfa-naftil acetato como pelo beta-naftil acetato, e definidas como alfa-beta-esterases. Foram detectadas esterases estágio-específicas, e os estágios de ninfa de primeiro estádio e de larva foram os que mostraram maior atividade esterásica durante todo o desenvolvimento. A esterase EST-4 foi detectada apenas em machos e considerada sexo-específica. Existem diferenças quanto ao perfil esterásico nos diferentes estágios de desenvolvimento pós-embrionário de R. microplus.

The objective of this work was to analyze the pattern of esterase activity in the development stages of Rhipicephalus microplus by nondenaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis using specific staining for esterase. The electrophoretical results revealed the presence of nine regions displaying esterase activity, stained with both alpha-naphthyl acetate and beta-naphthyl acetate, and classified as alpha-beta-esterase. Stage-specific esterases were found, with the first nymphal and larval stages showing the greatest esterase activity throughout the development. An esterase called EST-4 was detected only in males and was considered sex-specific. There are differences in the esterase profile among the different postembryonic development stages of R. microplus.

The cattle tick Boophilus microplus causes great damage in livestock and is considered one of the most important tropical ectoparasites. The traditional method of control is based on the intensive use of pesticides, however the indiscriminate use of these compounds over the years has led to the selection of resistant ticks. Hydrolases, particularly esterases (EST), have been reported to be associated with acaricide resistance in B. microplus. We compared the esterase profile of susceptible and cypermethrin-resistant strains of adult B. microplus and a pyrethroid susceptible reference strain (the Mozzo strain) using polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and specific staining. The electrophoretic profiles of protein extracts revealed the presence of four regions with esterase activity in the cypermethrin-resistant strain and three of these regions in the susceptible strains. The bands were numbered EST-1 to EST-4 in sequence (starting from the anode) according to their decrease in negative charge. The EST-1A and EST-1B enzymes were detected only in the resistant strain. The inhibition studies with eserine sulfate, copper sulfate, p- p-chloromercuribenzoate (pCMB), malathion and phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF) indicated that the EST-1A and EST-1B enzymes belong to the acetylcholinesterase class and are probably associated with resistance to acaricides in this Brazilian resistant strain of B. microplus.

Fourty-six non-castrated, halothane-free, male Landrace pigs were genotyped by PCR-RFLP for the Rsa I polymorphism in the PIT1 gene and classified into AA and AB genotypes. Total RNA was extracted from the pituitaries and the relative quantities of growth hormone (GH) mRNA were determined by semi-quantitative RT-PCR. Pigs with the AB genotype had higher levels of GH mRNA than those with the AA genotype (p = 0.034; Kruskal-Wallis test). This result suggests that the Rsa I polymorphism may be involved in Pit-1 protein expression or function, which in turn may influence GH transcription and expression. Thus, the Rsa I PIT1 gene polymorphism in this pig line may be used as a molecular marker to identify higher GH expression and possibly select for carcass and performance traits affected by GH.

Por meio de estudos moleculares, este trabalho determinou a distância genética entre 12 genótipos de A. comosus por marcadores RAPD (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA), utilizando 11 "primers" decâmeros da OPERON Technologies Inc. Dos 12 genótipos , 1 foi proveniente da Jamaica, 2 do Estado do Acre (Quinari e RBR-1), 2 do Estado do Maranhão (Turiaçu e São Domingos), 3 do Estado do Piauí (Cefas, Floriano-1 e Floriano-2), 2 do Estado da Bahia (Monte Alegre-1 e Monte Alegre-2) e 2 de Minas Gerais (Pérola e Smouth Cayenne). Pela análise de "cluster", utilizando o método de UPGMA, foi constatada uma grande divergência entre os genótipos de A. comosus estudados com a separação destes em dois grupos a uma distância genética de 31,1%.

Through molecular studies, the genetic distance among 12 genotypes of A. comosus for RAPD markers (Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA) was determined using 11 primers (decamers) of the OPERON Technologies Inc. From the 12 genotypes, 1 came from Jamaica, 2 from the State of Acre (Quinari and RBR-1), 2 from the State of Maranhão (Turiaçu and São Domigos), 3 the State of Piauí (Cefas, Floriano-1 and Floriano-2), 2 from the State of Bahia (Monte Alegre-1 and Monte Alegre-2) and 2 from Minas Gerais (Pérola and Smooth Cayenne). By the analysis of cluster, using the method of UPGMA, a great divergence was verified among the genotypes of A. comosus studied or tima separation in two groups of a genetic distance of 31,1%.