Peptidase-1 expression in some organs of the salamander Pleurodeles waltl submitted to a 12-day space flight.

Abstract In Pleurodeles , the peptidase-1 is a sex-linked enzyme encoded by two codominant genes (Pep-1A and Pep-1B) located on the Z and W sex chromosomes. The sexual genotype can be determined by the electrophoretic pattern of the peptidase from erythrocytes. Z A W B genotypic females characterized by 3 electrophoretic bands AA, AB and BB were embarked on Cosmos 2229. The pattern in ovary, muscles and gut issued from the embarked or synchrone females displayed the 3 characteristic bands. In heart and kidney, the bands AA and BB were revealed, while the band BB appeared very fainly. The specific enzymatic activity in the same organs was compared. Except for the kidney, no statistical significant difference was observed between flight and synchrone samples. This enzyme can be efficiently used as sexual genotypic marker of Pleurodeles experimentally submitted to the effects of space environment.