Induction of P450 monooxygenases in the German cockroach, Blattella germanica L.

The cytochrome P450 monooxygenases are an important metabolic system whose level of activity can be influenced by several dietary constituents. We examined the effects of six known P450 inducers on the levels of total cytochromes P450, cytochrome b(5), and six monooxygenase activities in adult German cockroaches. In addition, the levels of CYP6L1 and CYP9E2 mRNA were also investigated. Phenobarbital treatment resulted in increases in total cytochromes P450 and metabolism of three resorufin analogues, but not CYP6L1 nor CYP9E2 mRNA. There was no significant effect of the other five inducers on any of the monooxygenase parameters we measured. In comparison with other insects, the German cockroach seems unusually refractory to most inducing agents.