Sublethal virus infection depresses cytochrome P-450 in an insect

Insect-specific cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus infections, endemic in many species of insects, cause the gut tissue to assume on opaque, milky-white appearance through virus multiplication and formation of polyhedral protein inclusion bodies. Electron microscopy shows that the endoplasmic reticulum membrane is severely reduced and fragmented in infected midgut cells. Metabolism of foreign, lipophilic compounds, catalyzed by the membrane-bound cytochrome P-450, is significantly depressed, and resistance to insecticides disappears. In the absence of toxicants, most insects in this condition survive with sowewhat impaired fitness.