A novel approach for the identification of isozymes using inhibitors.

Carboxylesterase isozymes of a termite and a fungus, have been identified by exploiting their differential sensitivity towards organophosphate inhibitors. The inhibition curves obtained by plotting pI (negative logarithm of inhibitor concentration) versus per cent inhibition are used to distinguish the isozymes. The termite and its associated fungus possess 2 and 4 isozymes respectively. Each of the purified isozyme gave a single sigmoidal inhibition curve with its characteristic I50 value. The pattern of the inhibition curve of the crude extract is found to mimic that of the mixture of the purified isozymes in both termite and fungus. This method provides not only identification of isozymes but also serves as a criterion of homogeneity.