Xenobiotic induction of esterases in cultures of the yeast-like symbiont from the cigarette beetle

By using the I-naphthyl acetate assay system, we found that xenobiotics can induce increased esterase activity in cultures of the yeast-like symbiont, Symbioraphrina kochii Jurzitza ex. W. Gams and v. Arx, of the cigarette beetle, Lasioderma serricome L.. The activities expressed as percent of solvent control are as follows: flavone, 184.2% ; griseofulvin, 115.8 ~~ ; cis()-p-pinene, 111.4% ; and malathion, 114.0%. Gel electrophoresis showed new enzymes are induced by three of the compounds tested. Thus, the yeast responds in a manner consistent with detoxification enzyme regulation common in insects and micro-