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Dam MI, Ding BJ, Svensson GP, Wang HL, Melo DJ, Lassance JM, Zarbin PH, Löfstedt C. Sex pheromone biosynthesis in the sugarcane borer Diatraea saccharalis: paving the way for biotechnological production. PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE 2024; 80:996-1007. [PMID: 37830147 DOI: 10.1002/ps.7830] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Revised: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/13/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The sugarcane borer Diatraea saccharalis (Lepidoptera) is a key pest on sugarcane and other grasses in the Americas. Biological control as well as insecticide treatments are used for pest management, but economic losses are still significant. The use of female sex pheromones for mating disruption or mass trapping in pest management could be established for this species, provided that economical production of pheromone is available. RESULTS Combining in vivo labelling studies, differential expression analysis of transcriptome data and functional characterisation of insect genes in a yeast expression system, we reveal the biosynthetic pathway and identify the desaturase and reductase enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of the main pheromone component (9Z,11E)-hexadecadienal, and minor components hexadecanal, (9Z)-hexadecenal and (11Z)-hexadecenal. We next demonstrate heterologous production of the corresponding alcohols of the pheromone components, by expressing multiple steps of the biosynthetic pathway in yeast. CONCLUSION Elucidation of the genetic basis of sex pheromone biosynthesis in D. saccharalis, and heterologous expression in yeast, paves the way for biotechnological production of the pheromone compounds needed for pheromone-based pest management of this species. © 2023 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bao-Jian Ding
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Hong-Lei Wang
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Douglas J Melo
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
| | - Jean-Marc Lassance
- Département de gestion vétérinaire des Ressources Animales (DRA), University of Liege, Bât. B36 GIGA-Neurosciences, Quartier Hôpital, Liège 1, Belgium
| | - Paulo Hg Zarbin
- Departamento de Química, Universidade Federal do Paraná, Curitiba, Brazil
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2
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Ashok K, Bhargava CN, Asokan R, Pradeep C, Kennedy JS, Manamohan M, Rai A. CRISPR/Cas9 mediated mutagenesis of the major sex pheromone gene, acyl-CoA delta-9 desaturase (DES9) in Fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 253:126557. [PMID: 37657567 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.126557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Revised: 08/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/12/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
The Fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda is a significant global pest causing serious yield loss on several staple crops. In this regard, this pest defies several management approaches based on chemicals, Bt transgenics etc., requiring effective alternatives. Recently CRISPR/Cas9 mediated genome editing has opened up newer avenues to establish functions of various target genes before employing them for further application. The virgin female moths of S. frugiperda emit sex pheromones to draw conspecific males. Therefore, we have edited the key pheromone synthesis gene, fatty acyl-CoA Delta-9 desaturase (DES9) of the Indian population of S. frugiperda. In order to achieve a larger deletion of the DES9, we have designed two single guide RNA (sgRNA) in sense and antisense direction targeting the first exon instead of a single guide RNA. The sgRNA caused site-specific knockout with a larger deletion which impacted the mating. Crossing studies between wild male and mutant female resulted in no fecundity, while fecundity was normal when mutant male crossed with the wild female. This indicates that mating disruption is stronger in females where DES9 is mutated. The current work is the first of its kind to show that DES9 gene editing impacted the likelihood of mating in S. frugiperda.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karuppannasamy Ashok
- ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru 560089, Karnataka, India; Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, Coimbatore 641003, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - Chikmagalur Nagaraja Bhargava
- ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru 560089, Karnataka, India; University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru 560065, Karnataka, India
| | - Ramasamy Asokan
- ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru 560089, Karnataka, India.
| | - Chalapathi Pradeep
- ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Bengaluru 560089, Karnataka, India; University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru 560065, Karnataka, India
| | | | | | - Anil Rai
- ICAR - Indian Agricultural Statistics Research Institute, New Delhi 110012, India
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3
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Xia YH, Ding BJ, Dong SL, Wang HL, Hofvander P, Löfstedt C. Release of moth pheromone compounds from Nicotiana benthamiana upon transient expression of heterologous biosynthetic genes. BMC Biol 2022; 20:80. [PMID: 35361182 PMCID: PMC8969271 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-022-01281-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Using genetically modified plants as natural dispensers of insect pheromones may eventually become part of a novel strategy for integrated pest management. RESULTS In the present study, we first characterized essential functional genes for sex pheromone biosynthesis in the rice stem borer Chilo suppressalis (Walker) by heterologous expression in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Nicotiana benthamiana, including two desaturase genes CsupYPAQ and CsupKPSE and a reductase gene CsupFAR2. Subsequently, we co-expressed CsupYPAQ and CsupFAR2 together with the previously characterized moth desaturase Atr∆11 in N. benthamiana. This resulted in the production of (Z)-11-hexadecenol together with (Z)-11-hexadecenal, the major pheromone component of C. suppressalis. Both compounds were collected from the transformed N. benthamiana headspace volatiles using solid-phase microextraction. We finally added the expression of a yeast acetyltransferase gene ATF1 and could then confirm also (Z)-11-hexadecenyl acetate release from the plant. CONCLUSIONS Our results pave the way for stable transformation of plants to be used as biological pheromone sources in different pest control strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Han Xia
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 37, SE-22362, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Biology and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Kemivägen 4, SE-41296, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Bao-Jian Ding
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 37, SE-22362, Lund, Sweden
| | - Shuang-Lin Dong
- Education Ministry Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, CN-210095, China
| | - Hong-Lei Wang
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 37, SE-22362, Lund, Sweden
| | - Per Hofvander
- Department of Plant Breeding, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 101, SE-23053, Alnarp, Sweden
| | - Christer Löfstedt
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 37, SE-22362, Lund, Sweden.
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Lassance JM, Ding BJ, Löfstedt C. Evolution of the codling moth pheromone via an ancient gene duplication. BMC Biol 2021; 19:83. [PMID: 33892710 PMCID: PMC8063362 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-021-01001-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Defining the origin of genetic novelty is central to our understanding of the evolution of novel traits. Diversification among fatty acid desaturase (FAD) genes has played a fundamental role in the introduction of structural variation in fatty acyl derivatives. Because of its central role in generating diversity in insect semiochemicals, the FAD gene family has become a model to study how gene family expansions can contribute to the evolution of lineage-specific innovations. Here we used the codling moth (Cydia pomonella) as a study system to decipher the proximate mechanism underlying the production of the ∆8∆10 signature structure of olethreutine moths. Biosynthesis of the codling moth sex pheromone, (E8,E10)-dodecadienol (codlemone), involves two consecutive desaturation steps, the first of which is unusual in that it generates an E9 unsaturation. The second step is also atypical: it generates a conjugated diene system from the E9 monoene C12 intermediate via 1,4-desaturation. RESULTS Here we describe the characterization of the FAD gene acting in codlemone biosynthesis. We identify 27 FAD genes corresponding to the various functional classes identified in insects and Lepidoptera. These genes are distributed across the C. pomonella genome in tandem arrays or isolated genes, indicating that the FAD repertoire consists of both ancient and recent duplications and expansions. Using transcriptomics, we show large divergence in expression domains: some genes appear ubiquitously expressed across tissue and developmental stages; others appear more restricted in their expression pattern. Functional assays using heterologous expression systems reveal that one gene, Cpo_CPRQ, which is prominently and exclusively expressed in the female pheromone gland, encodes an FAD that possesses both E9 and ∆8∆10 desaturation activities. Phylogenetically, Cpo_CPRQ clusters within the Lepidoptera-specific ∆10/∆11 clade of FADs, a classic reservoir of unusual desaturase activities in moths. CONCLUSIONS Our integrative approach shows that the evolution of the signature pheromone structure of olethreutine moths relied on a gene belonging to an ancient gene expansion. Members of other expanded FAD subfamilies do not appear to play a role in chemical communication. This advises for caution when postulating the consequences of lineage-specific expansions based on genomics alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Marc Lassance
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 37, SE-223 62, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, 16 Divinity Avenue, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Bao-Jian Ding
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 37, SE-223 62, Lund, Sweden
| | - Christer Löfstedt
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 37, SE-223 62, Lund, Sweden.
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5
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Ding BJ, Xia YH, Wang HL, Andersson F, Hedenström E, Gross J, Löfstedt C. Biosynthesis of the Sex Pheromone Component (E,Z)-7,9-Dodecadienyl Acetate in the European Grapevine Moth, Lobesia botrana, Involving ∆11 Desaturation and an Elusive ∆7 Desaturase. J Chem Ecol 2021; 47:248-264. [PMID: 33779878 PMCID: PMC8019676 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-021-01252-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2020] [Revised: 01/13/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
The European grapevine moth, Lobesia botrana, uses (E,Z)-7,9-dodecadienyl acetate as its major sex pheromone component. Through in vivo labeling experiments we demonstrated that the doubly unsaturated pheromone component is produced by ∆11 desaturation of tetradecanoic acid, followed by chain shortening of (Z)-11-tetradecenoic acid to (Z)-9-dodecenoic acid, and subsequently introduction of the second double bond by an unknown ∆7 desaturase, before final reduction and acetylation. By sequencing and analyzing the transcriptome of female pheromone glands of L. botrana, we obtained 41 candidate genes that may be involved in sex pheromone production, including the genes encoding 17 fatty acyl desaturases, 13 fatty acyl reductases, 1 fatty acid synthase, 3 acyl-CoA oxidases, 1 acetyl-CoA carboxylase, 4 fatty acid transport proteins and 2 acyl-CoA binding proteins. A functional assay of desaturase and acyl-CoA oxidase gene candidates in yeast and insect cell (Sf9) heterologous expression systems revealed that Lbo_PPTQ encodes a ∆11 desaturase producing (Z)-11-tetradecenoic acid from tetradecanoic acid. Further, Lbo_31670 and Lbo_49602 encode two acyl-CoA oxidases that may produce (Z)-9-dodecenoic acid by chain shortening (Z)-11-tetradecenoic acid. The gene encoding the enzyme introducing the E7 double bond into (Z)-9-dodecenoic acid remains elusive even though we assayed 17 candidate desaturases in the two heterologous systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bao-Jian Ding
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 37, SE-223 62, Lund, Sweden.
| | - Yi-Han Xia
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 37, SE-223 62, Lund, Sweden.
| | - Hong-Lei Wang
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 37, SE-223 62, Lund, Sweden
| | - Fredrik Andersson
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Mid Sweden University, SE-851 70, Sundsvall, Sweden
| | - Erik Hedenström
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Mid Sweden University, SE-851 70, Sundsvall, Sweden
| | - Jürgen Gross
- Federal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants, Institute for Plant Protection in Fruit Crops and Viticulture, Julius Kühn-Institut, Dossenheim, Germany
| | - Christer Löfstedt
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 37, SE-223 62, Lund, Sweden
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6
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Petkevicius K, Koutsoumpeli E, Betsi PC, Ding BJ, Kildegaard KR, Jensen H, Mezo N, Mazziotta A, Gabrielsson A, Sinkwitz C, Lorantfy B, Holkenbrink C, Löfstedt C, Raptopoulos D, Konstantopoulou M, Borodina I. Biotechnological production of the European corn borer sex pheromone in the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica. Biotechnol J 2021; 16:e2100004. [PMID: 33656777 DOI: 10.1002/biot.202100004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2021] [Accepted: 02/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
The European corn borer (ECB) Ostrinia nubilalis is a widespread pest of cereals, particularly maize. Mating disruption with the sex pheromone is a potentially attractive method for managing this pest; however, chemical synthesis of pheromones requires expensive starting materials and catalysts and generates hazardous waste. The goal of this study was to develop a biotechnological method for the production of ECB sex pheromone. Our approach was to engineer the oleaginous yeast Yarrowia lipolytica to produce (Z)-11-tetradecenol (Z11-14:OH), which can then be chemically acetylated to (Z)-11-tetradecenyl acetate (Z11-14:OAc), the main pheromone component of the Z-race of O. nubilalis. First, a C14 platform strain with increased biosynthesis of myristoyl-CoA was obtained by introducing a point mutation into the α-subunit of fatty acid synthase, replacing isoleucine 1220 with phenylalanine (Fas2pI1220F ). The intracellular accumulation of myristic acid increased 8.4-fold. Next, fatty acyl-CoA desaturases (FAD) and fatty acyl-CoA reductases (FAR) from nine different species of Lepidoptera were screened in the C14 platform strain, individually and in combinations. A titer of 29.2 ± 1.6 mg L-1 Z11-14:OH was reached in small-scale cultivation with an optimal combination of a FAD (Lbo_PPTQ) from Lobesia botrana and FAR (HarFAR) from Helicoverpa armigera. When the second copies of FAD and FAR genes were introduced, the titer improved 2.1-fold. The native FAS1 gene's overexpression led to a further 1.5-fold titer increase, reaching 93.9 ± 11.7 mg L-1 in small-scale cultivation. When the same engineered strain was cultivated in controlled 1 L bioreactors in fed-batch mode, 188.1 ± 13.4 mg L-1 of Z11-14:OH was obtained. Fatty alcohols were extracted from the biomass and chemically acetylated to obtain Z11-14:OAc. Electroantennogram experiments showed that males of the Z-race of O. nubilalis were responsive to biologically-derived pheromone blend. Behavioral bioassays in a wind tunnel revealed attraction of male O. nubilalis, although full precopulatory behavior was observed less often than for the chemically synthesized pheromone blend. The study paves the way for the production of ECB pheromone by fermentation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolis Petkevicius
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.,BioPhero ApS, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Eleni Koutsoumpeli
- Chemical Ecology and Natural Products Laboratory, Institute of Biosciences and Applications, National Centre of Scientific Research, Athens, Greece
| | - Petri Christina Betsi
- Chemical Ecology and Natural Products Laboratory, Institute of Biosciences and Applications, National Centre of Scientific Research, Athens, Greece
| | - Bao-Jian Ding
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Maria Konstantopoulou
- Chemical Ecology and Natural Products Laboratory, Institute of Biosciences and Applications, National Centre of Scientific Research, Athens, Greece
| | - Irina Borodina
- The Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.,BioPhero ApS, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
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7
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Nachtschatt M, Okada S, Speight R. Integral Membrane Fatty Acid Desaturases: A Review of Biochemical, Structural, and Biotechnological Advances. EUR J LIPID SCI TECH 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ejlt.202000181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Nachtschatt
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation Clunies Ross St. Canberra ACT 2601 Australia
- Queensland University of Technology 2 George St. Brisbane QLD 4000 Australia
| | - Shoko Okada
- Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation Clunies Ross St. Canberra ACT 2601 Australia
| | - Robert Speight
- Queensland University of Technology 2 George St. Brisbane QLD 4000 Australia
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8
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Desaturase specificity is controlled by the physicochemical properties of a single amino acid residue in the substrate binding tunnel. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2020; 18:1202-1209. [PMID: 32542106 PMCID: PMC7283083 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2020.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Membrane fatty acyl desaturases (mFAD) are ubiquitous enzymes in eukaryotes. They introduce double bonds into fatty acids (FAs), producing structurally diverse unsaturated FAs which serve as membrane lipid components or precursors of signaling molecules. The mechanisms controlling enzymatic specificity and selectivity of desaturation are, however, poorly understood. We found that the physicochemical properties, particularly side chain volume, of a single amino acid (aa) residue in insect mFADs (Lepidoptera: Bombyx mori and Manduca sexta) control the desaturation products. Molecular dynamics simulations of systems comprising wild-type or mutant mFADs with fatty acyl-CoA substrates revealed that the single aa substitution likely directs the outcome of the desaturation reaction by modulating the distance between substrate fatty acyl carbon atoms and active center metal ions. These findings, as well as our methodology combining mFAD mutational screening with molecular dynamics simulations, will facilitate prediction of desaturation products and facilitate engineering of mFADs for biotechnological applications.
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9
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Zhang YN, Zhang XQ, Zhu GH, Zheng MY, Yan Q, Zhu XY, Xu JW, Zhang YY, He P, Sun L, Palli SR, Zhang LW, Dong SL. A Δ9 desaturase (SlitDes11) is associated with the biosynthesis of ester sex pheromone components in Spodoptera litura. PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2019; 156:152-159. [PMID: 31027575 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2019.02.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2019] [Revised: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 02/25/2019] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Sex pheromone biosynthesis in moths relies on the activity of multiple enzymes, including Δ9 desaturase, which plays an important role in catalyzing desaturation at the Δ9 position of the carbon chain. However, the physiological function of moth Δ9 desaturase has not been elucidated in vivo. In this study, we used the CRISPR/Cas9 system to knockout the Δ9 desaturase gene (SlitDes11) of Spodoptera litura to analyze its role in sex pheromone biosynthesis. First, through the direct injection of SlitDes11-single guide RNA (sgRNA)/Cas9 messenger RNA into newly laid eggs, gene editing was induced in around 30% of eggs 24 h after injection and was induced in 20.8% of the resulting adult moths. Second, using a sibling-crossing strategy, insects with mutant SlitDes11 (bearing a premature stop codon) were selected, and homozygous mutants were obtained in the G5 generation. Third, pheromone gland extracts of adult female homozygous SlitDes11 mutants were analyzed using Gas chromatography (GC). The results showed that titers of all three ester sex pheromone components; Z9, E11-14:Ac, Z9,E12-14:Ac, and Z9-14:Ac; were reduced by 62.40%, 78.50%, and 72.50%, respectively. This study provides the first direct evidence for the role of SlitDes11 in sex pheromone biosynthesis in S. litura, and indicates the gene could be as potential target to disrupt sexual communication in S. litura for developing a new pollution-free insecticide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Nan Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei, China.
| | - Xiao-Qing Zhang
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Control, School of Forestry & Landscape Architecture, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China; Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Guan-Heng Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China; Department of Entomology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, USA
| | - Mei-Yan Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Qi Yan
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiu-Yun Zhu
- College of Life Sciences, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei, China
| | - Ji-Wei Xu
- College of Life Sciences, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei, China
| | - Yun-Ying Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei, China
| | - Peng He
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Liang Sun
- Key Laboratory of Tea Quality and Safety Control, Ministry of Agriculture, Tea Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | | | - Long-Wa Zhang
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Control, School of Forestry & Landscape Architecture, Anhui Agricultural University, Hefei, China.
| | - Shuang-Lin Dong
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, Ministry of Education, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China.
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10
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Multi-Functional Desaturases in Two Spodoptera Moths with ∆11 and ∆12 Desaturation Activities. J Chem Ecol 2019; 45:378-387. [PMID: 30937603 PMCID: PMC6476860 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-019-01067-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Revised: 02/06/2019] [Accepted: 03/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua, uses (Z,E)-9,12-tetradecadienyl acetate as the major component of its sex pheromone. Previous isotope-labeling experiments demonstrated an unusual ∆12 desaturase activity involved in the biosynthesis of this compound; however, the putative ∆12 desaturase gene has not been reported to date. In the present study, we confirmed this ∆12 desaturation pathway by in vivo labeling experiments, and characterized candidate desaturase genes in a yeast heterologous expression system. We demonstrated that a pheromone gland-specific desaturase, SexiDes5, uses palmitic acid and the subsequently chain-shortened product (Z)-9-tetradecenoic acid as substrates to produce (Z)-11-hexadecenoic and (Z,E)-9,12-tetradecadienoic acids, respectively. In addition, the homologous desaturase SlitDes5 from the congeneric Spodoptera litura had analogous functions.
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11
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Endo H, Hanawa Y, Araie H, Suzuki I, Shiraiwa Y. Overexpression of Tisochrysis lutea Akd1 identifies a key cold-induced alkenone desaturase enzyme. Sci Rep 2018; 8:11230. [PMID: 30046151 PMCID: PMC6060089 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-29482-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2018] [Accepted: 07/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Alkenones are unusual long-chain neutral lipids that were first identified in oceanic sediments. Currently they are regarded as reliable palaeothermometers, since their unsaturation status changes depending on temperature. These molecules are synthesised by specific haptophyte algae and are stored in the lipid body as the main energy storage molecules. However, the molecular mechanisms that regulate the alkenone biosynthetic pathway, especially the low temperature-dependent desaturation reaction, have not been elucidated. Here, using an alkenone-producing haptophyte alga, Tisochrysis lutea, we show that the alkenone desaturation reaction is catalysed by a newly identified desaturase. We first isolated two candidate desaturase genes and found that one of these genes was drastically upregulated in response to cold stress. Gas chromatographic analysis revealed that the overexpression of this gene, named as Akd1 finally, increased the conversion of di-unsaturated C37-alkenone to tri-unsaturated molecule by alkenone desaturation, even at a high temperature when endogenous desaturation is efficiently suppressed. We anticipate that the Akd1 gene will be of great help for elucidating more detailed mechanisms of temperature response of alkenone desaturation, and identification of active species contributing alkenone production in metagenomic and/or metatranscriptomic studies in the field of oceanic biogeochemistry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hirotoshi Endo
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8572, Japan
| | - Yutaka Hanawa
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8572, Japan
| | - Hiroya Araie
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8572, Japan.,College of Science and Engineering, Kanto Gakuin University, 1-50-1 Mutsuura-higashi, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, 236-8501, Japan
| | - Iwane Suzuki
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8572, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Shiraiwa
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8572, Japan.
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12
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Tupec M, Buček A, Valterová I, Pichová I. Biotechnological potential of insect fatty acid-modifying enzymes. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2018; 72:387-403. [PMID: 28742527 DOI: 10.1515/znc-2017-0031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2017] [Accepted: 07/25/2017] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
There are more than one million described insect species. This species richness is reflected in the diversity of insect metabolic processes. In particular, biosynthesis of secondary metabolites, such as defensive compounds and chemical signals, encompasses an extraordinarily wide range of chemicals that are generally unparalleled among natural products from other organisms. Insect genomes, transcriptomes and proteomes thus offer a valuable resource for discovery of novel enzymes with potential for biotechnological applications. Here, we focus on fatty acid (FA) metabolism-related enzymes, notably the fatty acyl desaturases and fatty acyl reductases involved in the biosynthesis of FA-derived pheromones. Research on insect pheromone-biosynthetic enzymes, which exhibit diverse enzymatic properties, has the potential to broaden the understanding of enzyme specificity determinants and contribute to engineering of enzymes with desired properties for biotechnological production of FA derivatives. Additionally, the application of such pheromone-biosynthetic enzymes represents an environmentally friendly and economic alternative to the chemical synthesis of pheromones that are used in insect pest management strategies.
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Pou A, Abad JL, Ordóñez YF, Garrido M, Casas J, Fabriàs G, Delgado A. From the configurational preference of dihydroceramide desaturase-1 towards Δ 6-unsaturated substrates to the discovery of a new inhibitor. Chem Commun (Camb) 2018; 53:4394-4397. [PMID: 28379228 DOI: 10.1039/c6cc08268h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Dihydroceramide desaturase 1 (Des1) catalyzes the last step of ceramide synthesis de novo, thus regulating the physiologically relevant balance between dihydrosphingolipids and sphingolipids. Here we report on the configurational preference of Des1 towards isomeric Δ6-unsaturated dihydroceramide analogs and the discovery of a potent Des1 inhibitor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Pou
- Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Institute of Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC), Research Unit on Bioactive Molecules (RUBAM), Department of Biomedicinal Chemistry, Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034-Barcelona, Spain.
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14
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Cold-induced metabolic conversion of haptophyte di- to tri-unsaturated C 37 alkenones used as palaeothermometer molecules. Sci Rep 2018; 8:2196. [PMID: 29396545 PMCID: PMC5797101 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-20741-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2017] [Accepted: 01/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The cosmopolitan marine haptophyte alga Emiliania huxleyi accumulates very long-chain (C37-C40) alkyl ketones with two to four trans-type carbon-carbon double bonds (alkenones). These compounds are used as biomarkers of haptophytes and as palaeothermometers for estimating sea-surface temperatures in biogeochemistry. However, the biosynthetic pathway of alkenones in algal cells remains enigmatic, although it is well known that the C37 tri-unsaturated alkenone (K37:3) becomes dominant at low temperatures, either by desaturation of K37:2 or by a separate pathway involving the elongation of tri-unsaturated alkenone precursors. Here, we present experimental evidence regarding K37:3 synthesis. Using the well-known cosmopolitan alkenone producer E. huxleyi, we labelled K37:2 with 13C by incubating cells with 13C-bicarbonate in the light at 25 °C under conditions of little if any K37:3 production. After stabilisation of the 13C-K37:2 level by depleting 13C-bicarbonate from the medium, the temperature was suddenly reduced to 15 °C. The 13C-K37:2 level rapidly decreased, and the 13C-K37:3 level increased, whereas the total 13C-K37 level—namely [K37:2 + K37:3]—remained constant. These 13C-pulse-chase-like experimental results indicate that 13C-K37:2 is converted directly to 13C-K37:3 by a desaturation reaction that is promoted by a cold signal. This clear-cut experimental evidence is indicative of the existence of a cold-signal-triggered desaturation reaction in alkenone biosynthesis.
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Ding BJ, Carraher C, Löfstedt C. Sequence variation determining stereochemistry of a Δ11 desaturase active in moth sex pheromone biosynthesis. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2016; 74:68-75. [PMID: 27163509 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2016.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2015] [Revised: 04/17/2016] [Accepted: 05/05/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
A Δ11 desaturase from the oblique banded leaf roller moth Choristoneura rosaceana takes the saturated myristic acid and produces a mixture of (E)-11-tetradecenoate and (Z)-11-tetradecenoate with an excess of the Z isomer (35:65). A desaturase from the spotted fireworm moth Choristoneura parallela also operates on myristic acid substrate but produces almost pure (E)-11-tetradecenoate. The two desaturases share 92% amino acid identity and 97% amino acid similarity. There are 24 amino acids differing between these two desaturases. We constructed mutations at all of these positions to pinpoint the sites that determine the product stereochemistry. We demonstrated with a yeast functional assay that one amino acid at the cytosolic carboxyl terminus of the protein (258E) is critical for the Z activity of the C. rosaceana desaturase. Mutating the glutamic acid (E) into aspartic acid (D) transforms the C. rosaceana enzyme into a desaturase with C. parallela-like activity, whereas the reciprocal mutation of the C. parallela desaturase transformed it into an enzyme producing an intermediate 64:36 E/Z product ratio. We discuss the causal link between this amino acid change and the stereochemical properties of the desaturase and the role of desaturase mutations in pheromone evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bao-Jian Ding
- Pheromone Group, Department of Biology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 37, SE-22362, Lund, Sweden.
| | - Colm Carraher
- Pheromone Group, Department of Biology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 37, SE-22362, Lund, Sweden
| | - Christer Löfstedt
- Pheromone Group, Department of Biology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 37, SE-22362, Lund, Sweden
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16
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Zhang YN, Zhu XY, Fang LP, He P, Wang ZQ, Chen G, Sun L, Ye ZF, Deng DG, Li JB. Identification and Expression Profiles of Sex Pheromone Biosynthesis and Transport Related Genes in Spodoptera litura. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0140019. [PMID: 26445454 PMCID: PMC4596838 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0140019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2015] [Accepted: 09/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the general pathway of sex pheromone synthesis in moth species has been established, the molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. The common cutworm Spodoptera litura is an important agricultural pest worldwide and causes huge economic losses annually. The female sex pheromone of S. litura comprises Z9,E11-14:OAc, Z9,E12-14:OAc, Z9-14:OAc, and E11-14:OAc. By sequencing and analyzing the transcriptomic data of the sex pheromone glands, we identified 94 candidate genes related to pheromone biosynthesis (55 genes) or chemoreception (39 genes). Gene expression patterns and phylogenetic analysis revealed that two desaturase genes (SlitDes5 and SlitDes11) and one fatty acyl reductase gene (SlitFAR3) showed pheromone gland (PG) biased or specific expression, and clustered with genes known to be involved in pheromone synthesis in other moth species. Furthermore, 4 chemoreception related genes (SlitOBP6, SlitOBP11, SlitCSP3, and SlitCSP14) also showed higher expression in the PG, and could be additional candidate genes involved in sex pheromone transport. This study provides the first solid background information that should facilitate further elucidation of sex pheromone biosynthesis and transport, and indicates potential targets to disrupt sexual communication in S. litura for a novel pest management strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Nan Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei, China
| | - Xiu-Yun Zhu
- College of Life Sciences, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei, China
| | - Li-Ping Fang
- College of Life Sciences, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei, China
| | - Peng He
- State Key Laboratory Breeding Base of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide and Agricultural Bioengineering, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China
| | - Zhi-Qiang Wang
- College of Life Sciences, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei, China
| | - Geng Chen
- College of Life Sciences, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei, China
| | - Liang Sun
- Tea Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhan-Feng Ye
- Education Ministry, Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
| | - Dao-Gui Deng
- College of Life Sciences, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei, China
| | - Jin-Bu Li
- College of Life Sciences, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei, China
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17
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Zhang YN, Xia YH, Zhu JY, Li SY, Dong SL. Putative pathway of sex pheromone biosynthesis and degradation by expression patterns of genes identified from female pheromone gland and adult antenna of Sesamia inferens (Walker). J Chem Ecol 2014; 40:439-51. [PMID: 24817326 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-014-0433-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2013] [Revised: 03/17/2014] [Accepted: 04/21/2014] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
The general pathway of biosynthesis and degradation for Type-I sex pheromones in moths is well established, but some genes involved in this pathway remain to be characterized. The purple stem borer, Sesamia inferens, employs a pheromone blend containing components with three different terminal functional groups (Z11-16:OAc, Z11-16:OH, and Z11-16:Ald) of Type-I sex pheromones. Thus, it provides a good model to study the diversity of genes involved in pheromone biosynthesis and degradation pathways. By analyzing previously obtained transcriptomic data of the sex pheromone glands and antennae, we identified 73 novel genes that are possibly related to pheromone biosynthesis (46 genes) or degradation (27 genes). Gene expression patterns and phylogenetic analysis revealed that one desaturase (SinfDes4), one fatty acid reductase (SinfFAR2), and one fatty acid xtransport protein (SinfFATP1) genes were predominantly expressed in pheromone glands, and clustered with genes involved in pheromone synthesis in other moth species. Ten genes including five carboxylesterases (SinfCXE10, 13, 14, 18, and 20), three aldehyde oxidases (SinfAOX1, 2 and 3), and two alcohol dehydrogenases (SinfAD1 and 3) were expressed specifically or predominantly in antennae, and could be candidate genes involved in pheromone degradation. SinfAD1 and 3 are the first reported alcohol dehydrogenase genes with antennae-biased expression. Based on these results we propose a pathway involving these potential enzyme-encoding gene candidates in sex pheromone biosynthesis and degradation in S. inferens. This study provides robust background information for further elucidation of the genetic basis of sex pheromone biosynthesis and degradation, and ultimately provides potential targets to disrupt sexual communication in S. inferens for control purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Nan Zhang
- Education Ministry, Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, China
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18
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Jing X, Vogel H, Grebenok RJ, Zhu-Salzman K, Behmer ST. Dietary sterols/steroids and the generalist caterpillar Helicoverpa zea: physiology, biochemistry and midgut gene expression. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2012; 42:835-45. [PMID: 22898624 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2012.07.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2012] [Revised: 07/09/2012] [Accepted: 07/25/2012] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Sterols are essential nutrients for insects because, in contrast to mammals, no insect (or arthropod for that matter) can synthesize sterols de novo. Plant-feeding insects typically generate their sterols, commonly cholesterol, by metabolizing phytosterols. However, not all phytosterols are readily converted to cholesterol. In this study we examined, using artificial diets containing single sterols/steroids, how typical (cholesterol and stigmasterol) and atypical (cholestanol and cholestanone) sterols/steroids affect the performance of a generalist caterpillar (Helicoverpa zea). We also performed sterols/steroids analyses, using GC/MS techniques, to explore the metabolic fate of these different dietary sterols/steroids. Finally, we used a microarray approach to measure, and compare, midgut gene expression patterns that arise as a function of dietary sterols/steroids. In general, H. zea performed best on the cholesterol and stigmasterol diets, with cholesterol as the dominant tissue sterol on these two treatments. Compared to the cholesterol and stigmasterol diets, performance was reduced on the cholestanol and cholestanone diets; on these latter treatments stanols were the dominant tissue sterol. Finally, midgut gene expression patterns differed as a function of dietary sterol/steroid; using the cholesterol treatment as a reference, gene expression differences were smallest on stigmasterol, intermediate on cholestanol, and greatest on cholestanone. Inspection of our data revealed two broad insights. First, they identify a number of genes potentially involved in sterol/steroid metabolism and absorption. Second, they provide unique mechanistic insights into how variation in dietary sterol/steroid structure can affect insect herbivores.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangfeng Jing
- Department of Entomology, Texas A&M University, TAMU 2475, College Station, TX 77843-2475, USA.
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19
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Albre J, Liénard MA, Sirey TM, Schmidt S, Tooman LK, Carraher C, Greenwood DR, Löfstedt C, Newcomb RD. Sex pheromone evolution is associated with differential regulation of the same desaturase gene in two genera of leafroller moths. PLoS Genet 2012; 8:e1002489. [PMID: 22291612 PMCID: PMC3266893 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1002489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2011] [Accepted: 12/04/2011] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Chemical signals are prevalent in sexual communication systems. Mate recognition has been extensively studied within the Lepidoptera, where the production and recognition of species-specific sex pheromone signals are typically the defining character. While the specific blend of compounds that makes up the sex pheromones of many species has been characterized, the molecular mechanisms underpinning the evolution of pheromone-based mate recognition systems remain largely unknown. We have focused on two sets of sibling species within the leafroller moth genera Ctenopseustis and Planotortrix that have rapidly evolved the use of distinct sex pheromone blends. The compounds within these blends differ almost exclusively in the relative position of double bonds that are introduced by desaturase enzymes. Of the six desaturase orthologs isolated from all four species, functional analyses in yeast and gene expression in pheromone glands implicate three in pheromone biosynthesis, two Δ9-desaturases, and a Δ10-desaturase, while the remaining three desaturases include a Δ6-desaturase, a terminal desaturase, and a non-functional desaturase. Comparative quantitative real-time PCR reveals that the Δ10-desaturase is differentially expressed in the pheromone glands of the two sets of sibling species, consistent with differences in the pheromone blend in both species pairs. In the pheromone glands of species that utilize (Z)-8-tetradecenyl acetate as sex pheromone component (Ctenopseustis obliquana and Planotortrix octo), the expression levels of the Δ10-desaturase are significantly higher than in the pheromone glands of their respective sibling species (C. herana and P. excessana). Our results demonstrate that interspecific sex pheromone differences are associated with differential regulation of the same desaturase gene in two genera of moths. We suggest that differential gene regulation among members of a multigene family may be an important mechanism of molecular innovation in sex pheromone evolution and speciation. Chemical signals are prevalent in sexual communication systems, especially within the Lepidoptera where sex pheromones are typically one of the defining characteristics of species. We have isolated six desaturases from two groups of sibling species of leafroller moths belonging to the genera Ctenopseustis and Planotortrix. Functional analyses in yeast and quantitative RT–PCR indicate that three of the desaturases are involved in the biosynthesis of sex pheromone components in these species. One of three enzymes is a Δ10-desaturase that is differentially expressed in the pheromone glands of the two sets of sibling species, consistent with differences in the pheromone blend in both species pairs. In the pheromone glands of species that utilize (Z)-8-tetradecenyl acetate as sex pheromone component (C. obliquana and P. octo), the expression levels of the Δ10-desaturase are significantly higher than pheromone gland expression levels in their sibling species (C. herana and P. excessana). Our results demonstrate that interspecific sex pheromone differences are associated with differential regulation of the same desaturase gene in these two genera of moths. Based on these findings differential gene regulation among members of a multigene family may be an important mechanism of molecular innovation in sex pheromone evolution and speciation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jérôme Albre
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Auckland, New Zealand
- Allan Wilson Centre for Molecular Ecology and Evolution, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | | | - Tamara M. Sirey
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Auckland, New Zealand
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Silvia Schmidt
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Auckland, New Zealand
- Allan Wilson Centre for Molecular Ecology and Evolution, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Leah K. Tooman
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Auckland, New Zealand
- Allan Wilson Centre for Molecular Ecology and Evolution, Palmerston North, New Zealand
| | - Colm Carraher
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - David R. Greenwood
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Auckland, New Zealand
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | | | - Richard D. Newcomb
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Auckland, New Zealand
- Allan Wilson Centre for Molecular Ecology and Evolution, Palmerston North, New Zealand
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
- * E-mail:
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20
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Ding BJ, Liénard MA, Wang HL, Zhao CH, Löfstedt C. Terminal fatty-acyl-CoA desaturase involved in sex pheromone biosynthesis in the winter moth (Operophtera brumata). INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2011; 41:715-722. [PMID: 21651981 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2011.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2011] [Revised: 05/16/2011] [Accepted: 05/16/2011] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The winter moth (Operophtera brumata L., Lepidoptera: Geometridae) utilizes a single hydrocarbon, 1,Z3,Z6,Z9-nonadecatetraene, as its sex pheromone. We tested the hypothesis that a fatty acid precursor, Z11,Z14,Z17,19-nonadecanoic acid, is biosynthesized from α-linolenic acid, through chain elongation by one 2-carbon unit, and subsequent methyl-terminus desaturation. Our results show that labeled α-linolenic acid is indeed incorporated into the pheromone component in vivo. A fatty-acyl-CoA desaturase gene that we found to be expressed in the abdominal epidermal tissue, the presumed site of biosynthesis for type II pheromones, was characterized and expressed heterologously in a yeast system. The transgenic yeast expressing this insect derived gene could convert Z11,Z14,Z17-eicosatrienoic acid into Z11,Z14,Z17,19-eicosatetraenoic acid. These results provide evidence that a terminal desaturation step is involved in the winter moth pheromone biosynthesis, prior to the decarboxylation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bao-Jian Ding
- Functional Zoology, Department of Biology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 37, SE-22362 Lund, Sweden.
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21
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Evolution of multicomponent pheromone signals in small ermine moths involves a single fatty-acyl reductase gene. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2010; 107:10955-60. [PMID: 20534481 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1000823107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Fatty-acyl CoA reductases (FAR) convert fatty acids into fatty alcohols in pro- and eukaryotic organisms. In the Lepidoptera, members of the FAR gene family serve in the biosynthesis of sex pheromones involved in mate communication. We used a group of closely related species, the small ermine moths (Lepidoptera: Yponomeutidae) as a model to investigate the role of FARs in the biosynthesis of complex pheromone blends. Homology-based molecular cloning in three Yponomeuta species led to the identification of multiple putative FAR transcripts homologous to FAR genes from the Bombyx mori genome. The expression of one transcript was restricted to the female pheromone-gland tissue, suggesting a role in pheromone biosynthesis, and the encoded protein belonged to a recently identified Lepidoptera-specific pgFAR gene subfamily. The Yponomeuta evonymellus pgFAR mRNA was up-regulated in sexually mature females and exhibited a 24-h cyclic fluctuation pattern peaking in the pheromone production period. Heterologous expression confirmed that the Yponomeuta pgFAR orthologs in all three species investigated [Y. evonymellus (L.), Yponomeuta padellus (L.), and Yponomeuta rorellus (Hübner)] encode a functional FAR with a broad substrate range that efficiently promoted accumulation of primary alcohols in recombinant yeast supplied with a series of biologically relevant C14- or C16-acyl precursors. Taken together, our data evidence that a single alcohol-producing pgFAR played a critical function in the production of the multicomponent pheromones of yponomeutids and support the hypothesis of moth pheromone-biosynthetic FARs belonging to a FAR gene subfamily unique to Lepidoptera.
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Liénard MA, Strandh M, Hedenström E, Johansson T, Löfstedt C. Key biosynthetic gene subfamily recruited for pheromone production prior to the extensive radiation of Lepidoptera. BMC Evol Biol 2008; 8:270. [PMID: 18831750 PMCID: PMC2584044 DOI: 10.1186/1471-2148-8-270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2008] [Accepted: 10/02/2008] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Moths have evolved highly successful mating systems, relying on species-specific mixtures of sex pheromone components for long-distance mate communication. Acyl-CoA desaturases are key enzymes in the biosynthesis of these compounds and to a large extent they account for the great diversity of pheromone structures in Lepidoptera. A novel desaturase gene subfamily that displays Δ11 catalytic activities has been highlighted to account for most of the unique pheromone signatures of the taxonomically advanced ditrysian species. To assess the mechanisms driving pheromone evolution, information is needed about the signalling machinery of primitive moths. The currant shoot borer, Lampronia capitella, is the sole reported primitive non-ditrysian moth known to use unsaturated fatty-acid derivatives as sex-pheromone. By combining biochemical and molecular approaches we elucidated the biosynthesis paths of its main pheromone component, the (Z,Z)-9,11-tetradecadien-1-ol and bring new insights into the time point of the recruitment of the key Δ11-desaturase gene subfamily in moth pheromone biosynthesis. Results The reconstructed evolutionary tree of desaturases evidenced two ditrysian-specific lineages (the Δ11 and Δ9 (18C>16C)) to have orthologs in the primitive moth L. capitella despite being absent in Diptera and other insect genomes. Four acyl-CoA desaturase cDNAs were isolated from the pheromone gland, three of which are related to Δ9-desaturases whereas the fourth cDNA clusters with Δ11-desaturases. We demonstrated that this transcript (Lca-KPVQ) exclusively accounts for both steps of desaturation involved in pheromone biosynthesis. This enzyme possesses a Z11-desaturase activity that allows transforming the palmitate precursor (C16:0) into (Z)-11-hexadecenoic acid and the (Z)-9-tetradecenoic acid into the conjugated intermediate (Z,Z)-9,11-tetradecadienoic acid. Conclusion The involvement of a single Z11-desaturase in pheromone biosynthesis of a non-ditrysian moth species, supports that the duplication event leading to the origin of the Lepidoptera-specific Δ11-desaturase gene subfamily took place before radiation of ditrysian moths and their divergence from other heteroneuran lineages. Our findings uncover that this novel class of enzymes affords complex combinations of unique unsaturated fatty acyl-moieties of variable chain-lengths, regio- and stereo-specificities since early in moth history and contributes a notable innovation in the early evolution of moth-pheromones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marjorie A Liénard
- Chemical Ecology and Ecotoxicology, Department of Ecology, Lund University, Ecology Building, SE-22362, Lund, Sweden.
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23
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Nishimura H, Tsuda S, Shimizu H, Ohashi Y, Watanabe T, Honda Y, Watanabe T. De novo synthesis of (Z)- and (E)-7-hexadecenylitaconic acids by a selective lignin-degrading fungus, Ceriporiopsis subvermispora. PHYTOCHEMISTRY 2008; 69:2593-2602. [PMID: 18835612 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2008.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2007] [Revised: 05/20/2008] [Accepted: 07/28/2008] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Ceriporic acids are a class of alk(en)ylitaconic acids produced by a selective lignin-degrading fungus, Ceriporiopsis subvermispora. Their structural units have similarity with biologically important lichen acids, such as chaetomellic and protolichesterinic acids. The unique function of alkylitaconic acid is the redox silencing of the Fenton reaction system by inhibiting reduction of Fe(3+). As estimated by the catalytic function of Delta9-desaturases, 7-hexadecenyl derivatives bearing a trans configuration have not been reported in the family of alk(en)ylitaconic acids, i.e. the structurally similar lichen acids-alk(en)ylcitraconic and paraconic acids. In this paper, we discuss the isolation of an itaconic acid derivative with an (E)-7-hexadecenyl chain from cultures of C. subvermispora. To identify the natural metabolite, (E)- and (Z)-7-hexadecenylitaconic acids were chemically synthesised. The isolated metabolite was identical to the synthetic (E)-hexadecenylitaconic acid and was designated as ceriporic acid D. Administration of (13)C-[U]-glucose demonstrated that ceriporic acid C and trans-7-hexadecenylitaconic acid (ceriporic acid D) were biosynthesised de novo by C. subvermispora.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Nishimura
- Laboratory of Biomass Conversion, Research Institute for Sustainable Humanosphere, Kyoto University, Gokasho, Uji, Kyoto 611-0011, Japan
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Tsfadia O, Azrielli A, Falach L, Zada A, Roelofs W, Rafaeli A. Pheromone biosynthetic pathways: PBAN-regulated rate-limiting steps and differential expression of desaturase genes in moth species. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2008; 38:552-567. [PMID: 18405833 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2008.01.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2007] [Revised: 01/21/2008] [Accepted: 01/26/2008] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
We combine the use of labeled precursors with enzyme inhibitors to decipher the biosynthetic pathway of pheromone biosynthesis and the rate-limiting step/s that are regulated by pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide (PBAN). We demonstrate that Plodia interpunctella is able to utilize hexadecanoic acid, and to a lesser extent tetradecanoic acid, for the biosynthesis of the main pheromone component (Z,E)-9,12-tetradecadienyl acetate. This indicated that the main pathway involves a Delta11 desaturase, chain shortening, followed by a Delta12 desaturase, but that a functional Delta9 desaturase could also be utilized. Using reverse transcription-quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-QPCR) we distinguish two out of nine possible desaturase gene transcripts in P. interpunctella that are expressed at the highest levels. The rate-limiting step for PBAN-stimulation was studied in two moth species so as to compare the biosynthesis of a diene (P. interpunctella) and a monoene (Helicoverpa armigera) main pheromone component. In both species, incorporation of label from the (13)C sodium acetate precursor was activated by PBAN whereas no stimulatory action was observed in the incorporation of the precursors: (13)C malonyl coenzyme A; hexadecanoic 16,16,16-(2)H(3) or tetradecanoic 14,14,14-(2)H(3) acids. The acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase (ACCase) inhibitor, Tralkoxydim, inhibited the PBAN-stimulation of incorporation of stable isotope whereas the fatty-acyl reductase inhibitor, Mevastatin, failed to influence the stimulatory action of PBAN. These results provide irrefutable support to the hypothesis that PBAN affects the production of malonyl coenzyme A from acetate by the action of ACCase in the pheromone glands of these moths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oren Tsfadia
- Institute for Technology and Storage of Agricultural Products, ARO, Volcani Center, Bet Dagan 50250, Israel
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Park HY, Kim MS, Paek A, Jeong SE, Knipple DC. An abundant acyl-CoA (Delta9) desaturase transcript in pheromone glands of the cabbage moth, Mamestra brassicae, encodes a catalytically inactive protein. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2008; 38:581-595. [PMID: 18405835 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2008.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2007] [Revised: 01/29/2008] [Accepted: 02/05/2008] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The principal sex pheromone component produced by females of the cabbage moth, Mamestra brassicae, is derived from the monounsaturated fatty acid, Z11-16:1, whereas two additional trace components are derived from E11-16:1 and Z9-16:1. This report presents the isolation and analysis of cDNAs encoding pheromone gland-specific acyl-CoA desaturases implicated in the production of these unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs). Comparisons of the encoded amino acid sequences of four cDNA fragments isolated by degenerate PCR from cabbage moth pheromone glands established their orthology with previously characterized noctuid desaturases as follows: MbraLPAQ, belonging to the pheromone gland-specific LPAQ desaturase lineage having Delta11 regioselectivity, MbraKPSE-a and MbraKPSE-b, belonging to the pheromone gland-specific KPSE desaturase lineage having Delta9 regioselectivity and a substrate preference for palmitic acid (16:0) over oleic acid (18:0), and MbraNPVE, belonging to the NPVE desaturase lineage having Delta9 regioselectivity and a substrate preference 18:0>16:0. Full-length cDNAs corresponding to the two most abundantly expressed pheromone gland-specific desaturase transcripts, MbraLPAQ and MbraKPSE-b, were isolated and assayed for their ability to genetically complement the UFA auxotrophy of a desaturase-deficient ole1 strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The MbraLPAQ desaturase restored UFA prototrophy and GC-MS analysis identified Z11-16:1 and Z11-18:1 as the predominant UFAs produced. Surprisingly, MbraKPSE-b failed to complement the ole1 mutation, although it shares >98% amino acid sequence similarity with other noctuid KPSE desaturases that do. Site-directed mutagenesis of either or both of two nonconservative amino acid substitutions restored functionality to the MbraKPSE-b protein, although GC-MS analysis revealed that neither reversion resulted in the characteristic KPSE substrate preference for 16:0.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hee Yun Park
- Department of Biological Sciences, Hannam University, 133 Ojung-Dong, Daedeok-Gu, Daejeon 306-791, South Korea
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Strandh M, Johansson T, Ahrén D, Löfstedt C. Transcriptional analysis of the pheromone gland of the turnip moth, Agrotis segetum (Noctuidae), reveals candidate genes involved in pheromone production. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2008; 17:73-85. [PMID: 18237286 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2583.2008.00782.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Moths generally rely on pheromone communication for mate finding. The pheromone components of most moths are produced by a common pathway of fatty-acid biosynthesis coupled with species-specific modifications of the final products. Some genes involved in moth pheromone production have previously been described, whereas others remain to be characterized and thus the molecular mechanisms accounting for the production of species-specific blends are far from understood. The turnip moth, Agrotis segetum, has a multicomponent pheromone, consisting of at least four components derived from palmitic and stearic acid. Different populations produce and respond to different pheromone blends, which makes this species an excellent model for research on genes and molecular mechanisms involved in moth pheromone production. For this purpose, we performed an expressed sequence tag (EST) analysis of two cDNA libraries, one representing the female pheromone gland and the other representing the remainder of the insect body. Among 2285 ESTs analysed altogether, we identified a unigene set of 707 putative gene representatives. The comparative distribution of those in the two libraries showed the transcriptomes of the tissues to be clearly different. One third of the gene representatives were exclusively found in the pheromone gland. From sequence homology to public database information we assigned putative functional roles for a majority of the unigenes and then compared functional profiles of the two tissues. In the set of ESTs more abundant in the pheromone gland library, we found homologues of an acyl-CoA Delta11-desaturase, a G-protein subunit, a chemosensory protein as well as a juvenile hormone binding protein.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Strandh
- Chemical Ecology and Ecotoxicology, Department of Ecology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
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27
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Serra M, Piña B, Abad JL, Camps F, Fabriàs G. A multifunctional desaturase involved in the biosynthesis of the processionary moth sex pheromone. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2007; 104:16444-9. [PMID: 17921252 PMCID: PMC2034215 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0705385104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2007] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The sex pheromone of the female processionary moth, Thaumetopoea pityocampa, is a unique C16 enyne acetate that is biosynthesized from palmitic acid. Three consecutive desaturation reactions transform this saturated precursor into the triunsaturated fatty acyl intermediate: formation of (Z)-11-hexadecenoic acid, acetylenation to 11-hexadecynoic acid, and final Delta(13) desaturation to (Z)-13-hexadecen-11-ynoic acid. By using degenerate primers common to all reported insect desaturases, a single cDNA sequence was isolated from total RNA of T. pityocampa female pheromone glands. The full-length transcript of this putative desaturase was expressed in elo1Delta/ole1Delta yeast mutants (both elongase 1 and Delta(9) desaturase-deficient) for functional assays. The construct fully rescued the Deltaole1 yeast phenotype, confirming its desaturase activity. Analysis of the unsaturated products from transformed yeast extracts demonstrated that the cloned enzyme showed Delta(11) desaturase, Delta(11) acetylenase, and Delta(13) desaturase activities. Therefore, this single desaturase may account for the three desaturation steps involved in the sex pheromone biosynthetic pathway of the processionary moth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Montserrat Serra
- *Research Unit on BioActive Molecules (RUBAM), Departament de Química Orgànica Biològica, Institut d'Investigacions Químiques i Ambientals de Barcelona, and
| | - Benjamin Piña
- Departament de Biologia Molecular i Cellular, Institut de Biologia Molecular i Cellular de Barcelona, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Jordi Girona 18, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
| | - José Luis Abad
- *Research Unit on BioActive Molecules (RUBAM), Departament de Química Orgànica Biològica, Institut d'Investigacions Químiques i Ambientals de Barcelona, and
| | - Francisco Camps
- *Research Unit on BioActive Molecules (RUBAM), Departament de Química Orgànica Biològica, Institut d'Investigacions Químiques i Ambientals de Barcelona, and
| | - Gemma Fabriàs
- *Research Unit on BioActive Molecules (RUBAM), Departament de Química Orgànica Biològica, Institut d'Investigacions Químiques i Ambientals de Barcelona, and
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Matousková P, Pichová I, Svatos A. Functional characterization of a desaturase from the tobacco hornworm moth (Manduca sexta) with bifunctional Z11- and 10,12-desaturase activity. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2007; 37:601-10. [PMID: 17517337 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2007.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2007] [Revised: 03/01/2007] [Accepted: 03/05/2007] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The pheromone blend produced by the tobacco hornworm moth (Manduca sexta) (L.) female is unusually complex and contains two conjugated dienals and trienals together with two monounsaturated alkenals. Here, we describe the identification and construction of two genes encoding MsexKPSE and MsexAPTQ desaturases from a cDNA library prepared from the total RNA of the M. sexta pheromone gland. The MsexKPSE desaturase shares a high degree of similarity with Delta(9)-desaturases from different moth species. The functional expression of MsexAPTQ desaturase in Saccharomyces cerevisiae followed by a detailed GC-MS analysis of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) and their derivatized products and gas-phase Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy of the extracted FAME confirms that this enzyme is a bifunctional Z-Delta(11)-desaturase. MsexAPTQ desaturase catalyses the production of Z11-hexadecenoate (Z11-16) and Z10E12- and E10E12-hexadecadienoates (Z10E12-16) via 1,4-desaturation of the Z11-16 substrate. The stereochemistry of 1,4-desaturation and formation of isomers is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petra Matousková
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Flemingovo n, 2, 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
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29
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Turner CT, Davy MW, MacDiarmid RM, Plummer KM, Birch NP, Newcomb RD. RNA interference in the light brown apple moth, Epiphyas postvittana (Walker) induced by double-stranded RNA feeding. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2006; 15:383-91. [PMID: 16756557 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2583.2006.00656.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 200] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
RNA interference (RNAi) or gene silencing is typically induced in insects by the injection of double-stranded RNAs (dsRNAs), short interfering RNAs, or through the use of hairpin constructs in transgenic insects. Here we demonstrate in the horticultural pest, Epiphyas postvittana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), that RNAi can be triggered by oral delivery of dsRNA to larvae. Transcript levels of a larval gut carboxylesterase gene (EposCXE1) were reduced to less than half that of controls within 2 days of being fed EposCXE1 dsRNA. Transcript levels of the pheromone binding protein gene (EposPBP1) were reduced in adult antennae by feeding larvae EposPBP1 dsRNA. Knockdown of EposPBP1 transcripts was observed for the first 2 days after adult eclosion but recovered to wild-type levels at 4 days posteclosion. The potential mechanisms involved in the initiation, movement and amplification of the silencing signal are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- C T Turner
- The Horticulture and Food Research Institute of New Zealand Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand
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Fukuzawa M, Fu X, Tatsuki S, Ishikawa Y. cDNA cloning and in situ hybridization of Delta11-desaturase, a key enzyme of pheromone biosynthesis in Ostrinia scapulalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). JOURNAL OF INSECT PHYSIOLOGY 2006; 52:430-5. [PMID: 16360168 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinsphys.2005.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2005] [Revised: 11/08/2005] [Accepted: 11/10/2005] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Female sex pheromones are considered to be produced in a "pheromone gland" located in the terminal abdominal segments (8th-10th, TAS) of a moth; however, in many moth species, the cells that produce pheromones have not actually been specified. We investigated cells in the TAS that synthesize pheromones in the adzuki bean borer Ostrinia scapulalis, by locating pheromones and their precursors, and mRNA for Delta11-desaturase, a key enzyme in pheromone biosynthesis. We demonstrated that the pheromone components, (E)-11- and (Z)-11-tetradecenyl acetates, and their fatty acyl precursors were specifically contained in the dorsal part of the TAS. A cDNA (OscaZ/E11) that encodes a Delta11-desaturase was cloned from the TAS. RT-PCR and in situ hybridization unequivocally showed that OscaZ/E11 is specifically expressed in the modified epidermal cells located at the dorsal end of the 8th-9th intersegmental membrane.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mai Fukuzawa
- Laboratory of Applied Entomology, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
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Liu W, Rooney AP, Xue B, Roelofs WL. Desaturases from the spotted fireworm moth (Choristoneura parallela) shed light on the evolutionary origins of novel moth sex pheromone desaturases. Gene 2004; 342:303-11. [PMID: 15527989 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2004.08.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2004] [Revised: 07/06/2004] [Accepted: 08/19/2004] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Six acyl-CoA desaturase-encoding cDNAs from mRNA isolated from the spotted fireworm moth, Choristoneura parallela (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) were characterized and assayed for functionality. The expression levels of these cDNAs were determined in the pheromone gland and fat body by real-time PCR and the resulting patterns are in line with results from published studies on other moth sex pheromone desaturases. The cDNAs were found to correspond to six genes. Using both biochemical and phylogenetic analyses, four of these were found to belong to previously characterized desaturase functional groups [the Delta 10,11, the Delta 9 (16>18) and the Delta 9 (18>16) groups]. A desaturase highly expressed in the pheromone gland was a novel E11 desaturase that was specific to 14-carbon precursor acids. The fifth gene [CpaZ9(14-26)] was found to display a novel Z9 activity indicating that it belongs to a new Delta 9 functional group, whereas the sixth gene was determined to be nonfunctional with respect to desaturase activity. In accordance with previous studies, we find that desaturases of the Delta 10,11 and Delta 14 groups, which are the fastest evolving desaturases and possess the novel pheromone biosynthetic function, are expressed primarily in the pheromone gland whereas all other desaturases, which do not possess the novel reproductive function, evolve more slowly and display the ancestral metabolic function and pattern of gene expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weitian Liu
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Geneva, NY 14456, USA
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Rodríguez S, Hao G, Liu W, Piña B, Rooney AP, Camps F, Roelofs WL, Fabriàs G. Expression and evolution of delta9 and delta11 desaturase genes in the moth Spodoptera littoralis. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2004; 34:1315-1328. [PMID: 15544945 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2004.09.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2004] [Revised: 09/09/2004] [Accepted: 09/24/2004] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Desaturation of fatty acids is a key reaction in the biosynthesis of moth sex pheromones. The main component of Spodoptera littoralis sex pheromone blend is produced by the action of Delta11 and Delta9 desaturases. In this article, we report on the cloning of four desaturase-like genes in this species: one from the fat body (Sls-FL1) and three (Sls-FL2, Sls-FL3 and Sls-FL4) from the pheromone gland. By means of a computational/phylogenetic method, as well as functional assays, the desaturase gene products have been characterized. The fat body gene expressed a Delta9 desaturase that produced (Z)-9-hexadecenoic and (Z)-9-octadecenoic acids in a (1:4.5) ratio, whereas the pheromone gland Sls-FL2 expressed a Delta9 desaturase that produced (Z)-9-hexadecenoic and (Z)-9-octadecenoic acids in a (1.5:1) ratio. Although both Delta9 desaturases produced (Z)-9-tetradecenoic acid from myristic acid, transformed yeast grown in the presence of a mixture of myristic and (E)-11-tetradecenoic acids produced (Z,E)-9,11-tetradecadienoic acid, but not (Z)-9-tetradecenoic acid. The Sls-FL3 gene expressed a protein that produced a mixture of (E)-11-tetradecenoic, (Z)-11-tetradecenoic, (Z)-11-hexadecenoic and (Z)-11-octadecenoic acids in a 5:4:60:31 ratio. Despite having all the characteristics of a desaturase gene, no function could be found for Sls-FL4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio Rodríguez
- Department of Biological Organic Chemistry, IIQAB-CSIC, IBMB-CSIC, Jordi Girona 18, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
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Moto K, Suzuki MG, Hull JJ, Kurata R, Takahashi S, Yamamoto M, Okano K, Imai K, Ando T, Matsumoto S. Involvement of a bifunctional fatty-acyl desaturase in the biosynthesis of the silkmoth, Bombyx mori, sex pheromone. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2004; 101:8631-6. [PMID: 15173596 PMCID: PMC423246 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0402056101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The straight-chain C(10) to C(18) unsaturated aliphatic compounds containing an oxygenated functional group (aldehyde, alcohol, or acetate ester) derived from saturated C(16) or C(18) fatty acids are a major class of sex pheromone components produced by female moths. In the biosynthesis of these pheromone components, various combinations of limited chain-shortening and regio- and stereospecific desaturation reactions significantly contribute to the production of a vast number of the species-specific pheromone components in Lepidoptera. Biosynthesis of the silkmoth sex pheromone bombykol, (E,Z)-10,12-hexadecadien-1-ol, involves two consecutive desaturation steps, the second of which is unique in that it generates a conjugated diene system from the Delta11-monoene C(16) intermediate. In experiments designed to characterize the acyl-CoA desaturases responsible for bombykol biosynthesis, we have cloned three cDNAs encoding desaturase family members from the pheromone gland of the inbred strain of the silkmoth, Bombyx mori. Transcript analyses by RT-PCR and subsequent functional assays using a Bac-to-Bac baculovirus expression system revealed that desat1 is the only desaturase gene prominently expressed during pheromonogenesis and that its gene product, B. mori Desat1, possesses both Z11 desaturation and Delta10,12-desaturation activities. Consequently, we have concluded that B. mori Desat1 is not only a bifunctional desaturase involved in bombykol biosynthesis but that it is also the enzyme responsible for both desaturation steps.
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Zhao CH, Adlof RO, Löfstedt C. Sex pheromone biosynthesis in the pine caterpillar moth, Dendrolimus punctatus (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae): pathways leading to Z5-monoene and 5,7-conjugated diene components. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2004; 34:261-271. [PMID: 14871622 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2003.10.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2003] [Accepted: 10/27/2003] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Biosynthesis of the sex pheromone components (Z)-5-dodecenol and (Z,E)-5,7-dodecadienol in Dendrolimus punctatus was studied by topical application of deuterium-labeled fatty acids to pheromone glands and subsequent analysis of fatty acyl groups and pheromone components by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Our studies suggest that both (Z)-5-dodecenol and (Z,E)-5,7-dodecadienol can be biosynthetically derived from chain elongation of palmitate to stearate in the gland, and its subsequent Delta11 desaturation to produce (Z)-11-octadecenoate. After three cycles of 2-carbon chain-shortening, the pheromone glands produce (Z)-5-dodecenoate, which is then converted to (Z)-5-dodecenol by reduction. A second Delta11 desaturation of (Z)-9-hexadecenoate produces (Z,E)-9,11-hexadecadienoate, which is then chain shortened in two cycles of beta-oxidation and finally converted to (Z,E)-5,7-dodecadienol by reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-Hua Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100080, China.
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35
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Roelofs WL, Rooney AP. Molecular genetics and evolution of pheromone biosynthesis in Lepidoptera. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2003; 100:9179-84. [PMID: 12876197 PMCID: PMC170892 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1233767100a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 108] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A great diversity of pheromone structures are used by moth species (Insecta: Lepidoptera) for long-distance mating signals. The signal/response channel seems to be narrow for each species, and a major conundrum is how signal divergence has occurred in the face of strong selection pressures against small changes in the signal. Observations of various closely related and morphologically similar species that use pheromone components biosynthesized by different enzymes and biosynthetic routes underscore the question as to how major jumps in the biosynthetic routes could have evolved with a mate recognition system that is based on responses to a specific blend of chemicals. Research on the desaturases used in the pheromone biosynthetic pathway for various moth species has revealed that one way to make a major shift in the pheromone blend is by activation of a different desaturase from mRNA that already exists in the pheromone gland. Data will be presented to support the hypothesis that this process was used in the evolution of the Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis species. In that context, moth sex-pheromone desaturase genes seem to be evolving under a birth-and-death process. According to this model of multigene family evolution, some genes are maintained in the genome for long periods of time, whereas others become deleted or lose their functionality, and new genes are created through gene duplication. This mode of evolution seems to play a role in moth speciation, as exemplified by the case of the Asian corn borer and European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendell L Roelofs
- New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Cornell University, Geneva, NY 14456, USA.
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36
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Jeong SE, Rosenfield CL, Marsella-Herrick P, Man You K, Knipple DC. Multiple acyl-CoA desaturase-encoding transcripts in pheromone glands of Helicoverpa assulta, the oriental tobacco budworm. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2003; 33:609-622. [PMID: 12770579 DOI: 10.1016/s0965-1748(03)00043-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Seven desaturase cDNAs were isolated from pheromone glands of Helicoverpa assulta, a moth producing a sex pheromone blend with high Z9-16:Ald and low Z11-16:Ald, opposite to what is found in other heliothine moths such as Helicoverpa zea. Six of the seven sequences map onto recently defined lepidopteran desaturase sequence lineages and the other is orthologous to a desaturase sequence previously reported only in H. zea. The levels of desaturase-encoding transcripts in pheromone glands were determined and the three most abundant ones were functionally expressed in a desaturase-deficient mutant strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The HassNPVE transcript, shown to encode a delta9 desaturase producing more Z9-18:Acid than Z9-16:Acid, was the most abundant, followed by the HassKPSE transcript, shown to encode a delta9 desaturase producing more Z9-16:Acid than Z9-18:Acid, and by the HassLPAQ transcript, shown to encode a delta11 desaturase producing only Z11-16:Acid. Thus, the relative amounts of transcripts encoding two delta9 desaturases and a single delta11 desaturase in H. assulta pheromone glands were consistent with the relative amounts of unsaturated fatty acid precursors required to produce the major and minor sex pheromone components of this species. Desaturase transcript levels in pheromone glands were also found to be as high during scotophase as during light phase, when pheromone production ceases. The other four transcripts were present at extremely low levels in H. assulta pheromone glands and the functional roles of their encoded desaturase-homologous proteins could not be determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seong Eun Jeong
- Department of Biological Sciences, Hannam University, 133 Ojung-Dong, Taeduk-Ku, Taejon 300-791, South Korea
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37
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Jurenka RA, Subchev M, Abad JL, Choi MY, Fabrias G. Sex pheromone biosynthetic pathway for disparlure in the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2003; 100:809-14. [PMID: 12533665 PMCID: PMC298683 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.0236060100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The pheromone biosynthetic pathway for production of the sex pheromone disparlure, 2-methyl-7R,8S-epoxy-octadecane, was determined for the gypsy moth. Each step in the pathway was followed by using deuterium-labeled compounds that could be identified by using GCMS. This approach provides unequivocal determination of specific reactions in the pathway. It was shown that the alkene precursor, 2-methyl-Z7-octadecene, is most likely made in oenocyte cells associated with abdominal epidermal cells. The pathway begins with valine contributing carbons for chain initiation, including the methyl-branched carbon, followed by chain elongation to 19 carbons. The double bond is introduced with an unusual Delta12 desaturase that utilizes a methyl-branched substrate. The resulting 18-methyl-Z12-nonadecenoate is decarboxylated to the hydrocarbon, 2-methyl-Z7-octadecene. The alkene is then transported to the pheromone gland through the hemolymph, most probably by lipophorin. At the pheromone gland, the alkene is unloaded and transformed into the epoxide disparlure for release into the environment. A chiral HPLC column was used to demonstrate that the (R,S)-stereoisomer of the epoxide, (+)-disparlure is found in pheromone glands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Russell A Jurenka
- Department of Entomology, 407 Science II, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011-3222, USA.
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38
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Affiliation(s)
- P Sperling
- Institut für Allgemeine Botanik, Universität Hamburg, Ohnhorststr. 18, 22609 Hamburg, Germany.
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39
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Villorbina G, Rodríguez S, Camps F, Fabriàs G. Comparative sex pherome biosynthesis in Thaumetopoea pityocampa and T. processionea: a rationale for the phenotypic variation in the sex pherome within the genus Thaumetopoea. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2003; 33:155-161. [PMID: 12535674 DOI: 10.1016/s0965-1748(02)00186-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The female sex pheromones of the Mediterranean processionary moths (Thaumetopoea sp.) are conjugated dienes or enynes of 16 carbon atoms with the unsaturations located at C11 and C13. To investigate the biochemical basis of this phenotypic variation, the biosynthetic pathway of T. processionea sex pheromone, a diene acetate, has been elucidated and compared to that reported for the enyne-producing species T. pityocampa. Mass labeling experiments showed that T. processionea sex pheromone is biosynthesized from palmitic acid, by subsequent (Z)-11 and (Z)-13 desaturations and final reduction and acetylation. The Pheromone Biosynthesis Activating Neuropeptide (PBAN) activates this biosynthetic pathway downstream of the dienoate intermediate. When either 11-hexadecynoic acid or (Z)-13-hexadecen-11-ynoic acid were administered to T. processionea, this species was able to produce the enyne sex pheromone of T. pityocampa upon PBAN stimulation. In contrast, T. pityocampa does not produce either 11-hexadecynyl acetate or (Z,Z)-11,13-hexadecadienyl acetate, despite having the corresponding precursors in the pheromone gland. However, both acetates are detected after administration of the corresponding alcohols. These overall results suggest that the absence of delta(11) acetylenase and the existence of an enynoate specific reductase in the diene and enyne-producing Thaumetopeae, respectively, account for the different sex pheromones produced by the two groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Villorbina
- Department of Biological Organic Chemistry, IIQAB-CSIC, Jordi Girona 18, 08034-Barcelona, Spain
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40
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Knipple DC, Rosenfield CL, Nielsen R, You KM, Jeong SE. Evolution of the integral membrane desaturase gene family in moths and flies. Genetics 2002; 162:1737-52. [PMID: 12524345 PMCID: PMC1462379 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/162.4.1737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Lepidopteran insects use sex pheromones derived from fatty acids in their species-specific mate recognition system. Desaturases play a particularly prominent role in the generation of structural diversity in lepidopteran pheromone biosynthesis as a result of the diverse enzymatic properties they have evolved. These enzymes are homologous to the integral membrane desaturases, which play a primary role in cold adaptation in eukaryotic cells. In this investigation, we screened for desaturase-encoding sequences in pheromone glands of adult females of eight lepidopteran species. We found, on average, six unique desaturase-encoding sequences in moth pheromone glands, the same number as is found in the genome database of the fly, Drosophila melanogaster, vs. only one to three in other characterized eukaryotic genomes. The latter observation suggests the expansion of this gene family in insects before the divergence of lepidopteran and dipteran lineages. We present the inferred homology relationships among these sequences, analyze nonsynonymous and synonymous substitution rates for evidence of positive selection, identify sequence and structural correlates of three lineages containing characterized enzymatically distinct desaturases, and discuss the evolution of this sequence family in insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Douglas C Knipple
- Department of Entomology, New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Cornell University, Geneva, New York 14456, USA.
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41
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Liu W, Jiao H, O'Connor M, Roelofs WL. Moth desaturase characterized that produces both Z and E isomers of delta 11-tetradecenoic acids. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2002; 32:1489-1495. [PMID: 12530216 DOI: 10.1016/s0965-1748(02)00069-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The redbanded leafroller moth, Argyrotaenia velutinana (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) uses a 92:8 mixture of (Z)-11- and (E)-11-tetradecenyl acetate in its pheromone blend. These are produced in the abdominal pheromone gland from the corresponding acids, which are biosynthesized in the gland in a 3:2 Z/E ratio by desaturation of myristoyl CoA. The delta 11 desaturase involved in this reaction exhibits unusual substrate and stereospecificities in specifically producing Z11 and E11 isomers of tetradecenoic acid, and exhibiting no activity with C16 and C18 precursor acids. This report describes the cloning and expression of the redbanded leafroller moth delta 11 desaturase, and compares its amino-acid sequence to those of other known insect Z9, Z10, Z11, and E11 desaturases. The metabolic Z9 desaturase from fat body tissue also was cloned and expressed, and found mainly to produce Z9-16:Acid and Z9-18:Acid. The open reading frame of the delta 11 desaturase encodes a protein with 329 amino acids, whereas the open reading frame of the Z9 desaturase encodes a protein with 351 amino acids. Addition of this new delta 11 desaturase with its different substrate and regiospecificites to the databank of characterized integral-membrane desaturases will be key in efforts to determine amino-acid mutations responsible for the wide array of unsaturated fatty-acid products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weitian Liu
- Department of Entomology, New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Cornell University, Geneva, NY 14456, USA
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42
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Roelofs WL, Liu W, Hao G, Jiao H, Rooney AP, Linn CE. Evolution of moth sex pheromones via ancestral genes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2002; 99:13621-6. [PMID: 12237399 PMCID: PMC129724 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.152445399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 274] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/28/2002] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Mate finding in most moth species involves long-distance signaling via female-emitted sex pheromones. There is a great diversity of pheromone structures used throughout the Lepidoptera, even among closely related species. The conundrum is how signal divergence has occurred. With strong normalizing selection pressure on blend composition and response preferences, it is improbable that shifts to pheromones of diverse structures occur through adaptive changes in small steps. Here, we present data supporting the hypothesis that a major shift in the pheromone of an Ostrinia species occurred by activation of a nonfunctional desaturase gene transcript present in the pheromone gland. We also demonstrate the existence of rare males that respond to the new pheromone blend. Their presence would allow for asymmetric tracking of male response to the new blend and, thus, evolution of an Ostrinia species with structurally different sex pheromone components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wendell L Roelofs
- Department of Entomology, Cornell University, Geneva, NY 14456, USA.
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43
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Hao G, O'Connor M, Liu W, Roelofs WL. Characterization of Z/E11- and Z9-desaturases from the obliquebanded leafroller moth, Choristoneura rosaceana. JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE (ONLINE) 2002; 2:26. [PMID: 15455060 PMCID: PMC355924 DOI: 10.1093/jis/2.1.26] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2002] [Accepted: 12/14/2002] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
A (triangle up) 11-desaturase gene was cloned from the sex pheromone gland of the obliquebanded leafroller moth, Choristoneura rosaceana. The desaturase cDNA sequence spans 1300 nucleotides with an open reading frame encoding a 335 amino-acid protein, which has 81% identity to a Z/E11-desaturase of the redbanded leafroller moth, Argyrotaenia velutinana. A functional assay with a pYES2 yeast expression system demonstrated that the (triangle up) 11-desaturase exhibits unusual substrate and stereospecificities in producing a Z/E11 mixture (7:1) of only C14 acids. A metabolic Z9-desaturase also was cloned from fat body of this species, and proved to be in the class that produces more Z9-16:Acid than Z9-18:Acid.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guixia Hao
- Department of Entomology, New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Cornell University, Geneva, NY14456, USA
| | - Marion O'Connor
- Department of Entomology, New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Cornell University, Geneva, NY14456, USA
| | - Weitian Liu
- Department of Entomology, New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Cornell University, Geneva, NY14456, USA
| | - Wendell L Roelofs
- Department of Entomology, New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Cornell University, Geneva, NY14456, USA
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