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Xu C, Fu N, Cai X, Li Z, Bian L, Xiu C, Chen Z, Ma L, Luo Z. Identification of Candidate Genes Associated with Type-II Sex Pheromone Biosynthesis in the Tea Geometrid ( Ectropis obliqua) (Lepidoptera: Geometridae). Insects 2024; 15:276. [PMID: 38667406 PMCID: PMC11050716 DOI: 10.3390/insects15040276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 04/10/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Ectropis obliqua, a notorious tea pest, produces a Type-II sex pheromone blend for mate communication. This blend contains (Z,Z,Z)-3,6,9-octadecatriene, (Z,Z)-3,9-cis-6,7-epoxy-octadecadiene, and (Z,Z)-3,9-cis-6,7-epoxy-nonadecadiene. To elucidate the genes related to the biosynthesis of these sex pheromone components, transcriptome sequencing of the female E. obliqua pheromone gland and the abdomen without pheromone gland was performed. Comparative RNAseq analyses identified 52 putative genes, including 7 fatty acyl-CoA elongases (ELOs), 9 fatty acyl-CoA reductases (FARs), 1 decarbonylase (DEC), 3 lipophorins (LIPs), and 32 cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYPs). Tissue expression profiles revealed that two ELOs (ELO3 and ELO5), two FARs (FAR2 and FAR9), one DEC (CYP4G173), and one LIP (LIP1) displayed either abdomen-centric or -specific expression, suggesting potential roles in sex pheromone biosynthesis within the oenocytes of E. obliqua. Furthermore, the tissue expression patterns, combined with phylogenetic analysis, showed that CYP340BD1, which was expressed specifically and predominantly only in the pheromone gland, was clustered with the previously reported epoxidases, highlighting its potential role in the epoxidation of the unsaturated polytriene sex pheromone components. Collectively, our research provides valuable insights into the genes linked to sex pheromone biosynthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changxia Xu
- Tea Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310008, China; (C.X.); (N.F.); (X.C.); (Z.L.); (L.B.); (C.X.); (Z.C.)
- Key Laboratory of Biology, Genetics and Breeding of Special Economic Animals and Plants, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hangzhou 310008, China
- College of Life Sciences, Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University, Nanchang 330013, China
| | - Nanxia Fu
- Tea Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310008, China; (C.X.); (N.F.); (X.C.); (Z.L.); (L.B.); (C.X.); (Z.C.)
- Key Laboratory of Biology, Genetics and Breeding of Special Economic Animals and Plants, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hangzhou 310008, China
| | - Xiaoming Cai
- Tea Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310008, China; (C.X.); (N.F.); (X.C.); (Z.L.); (L.B.); (C.X.); (Z.C.)
- Key Laboratory of Biology, Genetics and Breeding of Special Economic Animals and Plants, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hangzhou 310008, China
| | - Zhaoqun Li
- Tea Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310008, China; (C.X.); (N.F.); (X.C.); (Z.L.); (L.B.); (C.X.); (Z.C.)
- Key Laboratory of Biology, Genetics and Breeding of Special Economic Animals and Plants, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hangzhou 310008, China
| | - Lei Bian
- Tea Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310008, China; (C.X.); (N.F.); (X.C.); (Z.L.); (L.B.); (C.X.); (Z.C.)
- Key Laboratory of Biology, Genetics and Breeding of Special Economic Animals and Plants, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hangzhou 310008, China
| | - Chunli Xiu
- Tea Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310008, China; (C.X.); (N.F.); (X.C.); (Z.L.); (L.B.); (C.X.); (Z.C.)
- Key Laboratory of Biology, Genetics and Breeding of Special Economic Animals and Plants, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hangzhou 310008, China
| | - Zongmao Chen
- Tea Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310008, China; (C.X.); (N.F.); (X.C.); (Z.L.); (L.B.); (C.X.); (Z.C.)
- Key Laboratory of Biology, Genetics and Breeding of Special Economic Animals and Plants, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hangzhou 310008, China
| | - Long Ma
- College of Life Sciences, Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University, Nanchang 330013, China
| | - Zongxiu Luo
- Tea Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310008, China; (C.X.); (N.F.); (X.C.); (Z.L.); (L.B.); (C.X.); (Z.C.)
- Key Laboratory of Biology, Genetics and Breeding of Special Economic Animals and Plants, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Hangzhou 310008, China
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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Ding B, Wang H, Al‐Saleh MA, Löfstedt C, Antony B. Bioproduction of (Z,E)-9,12-tetradecadienyl acetate (ZETA), the major pheromone component of Plodia, Ephestia, and Spodoptera species in yeast. Pest Manag Sci 2022; 78:1048-1059. [PMID: 34773383 PMCID: PMC9300079 DOI: 10.1002/ps.6716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND (Z,E)-9,12-tetradecadienyl acetate (ZETA, Z9,E12-14:OAc) is a major sex pheromone component for many stored-product moth species. This pheromone is used worldwide for mating disruption, detection, monitoring, and mass trapping in raw and processed food storage facilities. In this study, we demonstrate the biological production of ZETA pheromone by engineered yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. RESULTS We mined the pheromone gland transcriptome data of the almond moth, Ephestia (Cadra) cautella (Walker), to trace a novel E12 fatty acyl desaturase and expressed candidates heterologously in yeast and Sf9 systems. Furthermore, we demonstrated a tailor-made ZETA pheromone bioproduction in yeast through metabolic engineering using this E12 desaturase, in combination with three genes from various sources coding for a Z9 desaturase, a fatty acyl reductase, and an acetyltransferase, respectively. Electrophysiological assays (gas chromatography coupled to an electroantennographic detector) proved that the transgenic yeast-produced ZETA pheromone component elicits distinct antennal responses. CONCLUSION The reconstructed biosynthetic pathway in yeast efficiently produces ZETA pheromone, leaves an undetectable level of biosynthetic intermediates, and paves the way for the economically competitive high-demand ZETA pheromone's bioproduction technology for high-value storage pest control.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mohammed Ali Al‐Saleh
- Department of Plant Protection, King Saud University, Chair of Date Palm Research, Chemical Ecology and Functional Genomics LaboratoryCollege of Food and Agricultural SciencesRiyadhSaudi Arabia
| | | | - Binu Antony
- Department of Plant Protection, King Saud University, Chair of Date Palm Research, Chemical Ecology and Functional Genomics LaboratoryCollege of Food and Agricultural SciencesRiyadhSaudi Arabia
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Ahmed S, Roy MC, Al Baki MA, Jung JK, Lee D, Kim Y. CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis against sex pheromone biosynthesis leads to loss of female attractiveness in Spodoptera exigua, an insect pestt. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0259322. [PMID: 34788305 PMCID: PMC8598075 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Virgin female moths are known to release sex pheromones to attract conspecific males. Accurate sex pheromones are required for their chemical communication. Sex pheromones of Spodoptera exigua, a lepidopteran insect, contain unsaturated fatty acid derivatives having a double bond at the 12th carbon position. A desaturase of S. exigua (SexiDES5) was proposed to have dual functions by forming double bonds at the 11th and 12th carbons to synthesize Z9,E12-tetradecedienoic acid, which could be acetylated to be a main sex pheromone component Z9,E12-tetradecenoic acetate (Z9E12-14:Ac). A deletion of SexiDES5 using CRISPR/Cas9 was generated and inbred to obtain homozygotes. Mutant females could not produce Z9E12-14:Ac along with Z9-14:Ac and Z11-14:Ac. Subsequently, pheromone extract of mutant females did not induce a sensory signal in male antennae. They failed to induce male mating behavior including hair pencil erection and orientation. In the field, these mutant females did not attract any males while control females attracted males. These results indicate that SexiDES5 can catalyze the desaturation at the 11th and 12th positions to produce sex pheromone components in S. exigua. This study also suggests an application of the genome editing technology to insect pest control by generating non-attractive female moths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shabbir Ahmed
- Department of Plant Medicals, Andong National University, Andong, Korea
| | | | | | - Jin Kyo Jung
- Division of Crop Cultivation and Environment Research, Department of Central Area Crop Science, National Institute of Crop Science, Rural Development Administration, Suwon, Korea
| | - Daeweon Lee
- Metabolomics Research Center for Functional Materials, Kyungsung University, Busan, Korea
| | - Yonggyun Kim
- Department of Plant Medicals, Andong National University, Andong, Korea
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Wang Z, Huang X, Liu J, Xiao F, Tian M, Ding S, Shan Y. Screening and heterologous expression of flavone synthase and flavonol synthase to catalyze hesperetin to diosmetin. Biotechnol Lett 2021; 43:2161-2183. [PMID: 34514540 DOI: 10.1007/s10529-021-03184-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In this study, 44 flavone synthases (FNS) and flavonol synthases (FLS) from different origins were collected. The instability index and conserved domain of the enzymes were analyzed through bioinformatics analysis, the results of which allowed us to screen suitable enzymes for constructing recombinant Escherichia coli. Defective enzymes were selected as controls. RESULTS Native- and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis were conducted to isolate the heterologously expressed proteins. Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance, and ultra-performance liquid chromatography were performed to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze the products. The cellular transformation results showed that recombinant E. coli catalyzed the synthesis of diosmetin from hesperetin, and in vitro catalysis showed that heterologously expressed FNS/FLS played a catalytic role in this reaction. AnFNS (from Angelica archangelica) showed the highest substrate conversion (38.80% for cellular transformation, 12.93% for in vitro catalysis). CONCLUSIONS The catalytic capacity of FNS/FLS from different origins exhibited the expected results, indicating that bioinformatics analysis is useful for screening enzymes. In addition, the catalytic properties of AnFNS and CaFLS (from Camellia sinensis) differed significantly, although these enzymes are structurally similar. Based on this difference, C-2 was predicted as the key site for FNS/FLS catalytic synthesis of diosmetin rather than C-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Wang
- Longping Branch Graduate School of Hunan University, Changsha, 410125, People's Republic of China.,Hunan Agricultural Product Processing Institute, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha, 410125, People's Republic of China
| | - Xu Huang
- Longping Branch Graduate School of Hunan University, Changsha, 410125, People's Republic of China.,Hunan Agricultural Product Processing Institute, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha, 410125, People's Republic of China
| | - Juan Liu
- Longping Branch Graduate School of Hunan University, Changsha, 410125, People's Republic of China.,Hunan Agricultural Product Processing Institute, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha, 410125, People's Republic of China
| | - Feiyao Xiao
- Longping Branch Graduate School of Hunan University, Changsha, 410125, People's Republic of China.,Hunan Agricultural Product Processing Institute, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha, 410125, People's Republic of China
| | - Miaomiao Tian
- Longping Branch Graduate School of Hunan University, Changsha, 410125, People's Republic of China.,Hunan Agricultural Product Processing Institute, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha, 410125, People's Republic of China
| | - Shenghua Ding
- Longping Branch Graduate School of Hunan University, Changsha, 410125, People's Republic of China. .,Hunan Agricultural Product Processing Institute, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha, 410125, People's Republic of China. .,Hunan Province International Joint Laboratory On Fruits & Vegetables Processing, Quality and Safety, Changsha, 410125, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yang Shan
- Longping Branch Graduate School of Hunan University, Changsha, 410125, People's Republic of China. .,Hunan Agricultural Product Processing Institute, Hunan Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha, 410125, People's Republic of China. .,Hunan Province International Joint Laboratory On Fruits & Vegetables Processing, Quality and Safety, Changsha, 410125, People's Republic of China.
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Rizvi SAH, George J, Reddy GVP, Zeng X, Guerrero A. Latest Developments in Insect Sex Pheromone Research and Its Application in Agricultural Pest Management. Insects 2021; 12:insects12060484. [PMID: 34071020 PMCID: PMC8224804 DOI: 10.3390/insects12060484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Since the first identification of the silkworm moth sex pheromone in 1959, significant research has been reported on identifying and unravelling the sex pheromone mechanisms of hundreds of insect species. In the past two decades, the number of research studies on new insect pheromones, pheromone biosynthesis, mode of action, peripheral olfactory and neural mechanisms, and their practical applications in Integrated Pest Management has increased dramatically. An interdisciplinary approach that uses the advances and new techniques in analytical chemistry, chemical ecology, neurophysiology, genetics, and evolutionary and molecular biology has helped us to better understand the pheromone perception mechanisms and its practical application in agricultural pest management. In this review, we present the most recent developments in pheromone research and its application in the past two decades.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Justin George
- Southern Insect Management Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Stoneville, MS 38776, USA; (J.G.); (G.V.P.R.)
| | - Gadi V. P. Reddy
- Southern Insect Management Research Unit, USDA-ARS, Stoneville, MS 38776, USA; (J.G.); (G.V.P.R.)
| | - Xinnian Zeng
- College of Plant Protection, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Correspondence: (X.Z.); (A.G.)
| | - Angel Guerrero
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Institute of Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia-CSIC, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
- Correspondence: (X.Z.); (A.G.)
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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Hammer AK, Emrich NO, Ott J, Birk F, Fraatz MA, Ley JP, Geissler T, Bornscheuer UT, Zorn H. Biotechnological Production and Sensory Evaluation of ω1-Unsaturated Aldehydes. J Agric Food Chem 2021; 69:345-353. [PMID: 33350305 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.0c06872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Lipid extracts of the fungus Flammulina velutipes were found to contain various scarce fatty acids including dodec-11-enoic acid and di- and tri-unsaturated C16 isomers. A biotechnological approach using a heterologously expressed carboxylic acid reductase was developed to transform the fatty acids into the respective aldehydes, yielding inter alia dodec-11-enal. Supplementation studies gave insights into the fungal biosynthesis of this rarely occurring acid and suggested a terminal desaturation of lauric acid being responsible for its formation. A systematic structure-odor relationship assessment of terminally unsaturated aldehydes (C7-C13) revealed odor thresholds in the range of 0.24-22 μg/L in aqueous solution and 0.039-29 ng/L in air. In both cases, non-8-enal was identified as the most potent compound. All aldehydes exhibited green odor qualities. Short-chained substances were additionally associated with grassy, melon-, and cucumber-like notes, while longer-chained homologs smelled soapy and coriander leaf-like with partly herbaceous nuances. Dodec-11-enal turned out to be of highly pleasant scent without off-notes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas K Hammer
- Justus Liebig University Giessen, Institute of Food Chemistry and Food Biotechnology, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 17, 35392 Giessen, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Nils O Emrich
- Justus Liebig University Giessen, Institute of Food Chemistry and Food Biotechnology, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 17, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Janina Ott
- Justus Liebig University Giessen, Institute of Food Chemistry and Food Biotechnology, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 17, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Florian Birk
- Justus Liebig University Giessen, Institute of Food Chemistry and Food Biotechnology, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 17, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Marco A Fraatz
- Justus Liebig University Giessen, Institute of Food Chemistry and Food Biotechnology, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 17, 35392 Giessen, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Jakob P Ley
- Symrise AG, Muehlenfeldstrasse 1, 37603 Holzminden, Germany
| | | | - Uwe T Bornscheuer
- Department of Biotechnology and Enzyme Catalysis, Greifswald University, Felix-Hausdorff-Strasse 4, 17487 Greifswald, Germany
| | - Holger Zorn
- Justus Liebig University Giessen, Institute of Food Chemistry and Food Biotechnology, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 17, 35392 Giessen, Germany
- Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Ohlebergsweg 12, 35392 Giessen, Germany
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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Buček A, Vazdar M, Tupec M, Svatoš A, Pichová I. Desaturase specificity is controlled by the physicochemical properties of a single amino acid residue in the substrate binding tunnel. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2020; 18:1202-9. [PMID: 32542106 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2020.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [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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Xia YH, Zhang YN, Ding BJ, Wang HL, Löfstedt C. Multi-Functional Desaturases in Two Spodoptera Moths with ∆11 and ∆12 Desaturation Activities. J Chem Ecol 2019; 45:378-87. [PMID: 30937603 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-019-01067-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [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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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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Luo J, Liang S, Li J, Xu Z, Li L, Zhu B, Li Z, Lei C, Lindsey K, Chen L, Jin S, Zhang X. A transgenic strategy for controlling plant bugs (Adelphocoris suturalis) through expression of double-stranded RNA homologous to fatty acyl-coenzyme A reductase in cotton. New Phytol 2017; 215:1173-1185. [PMID: 28608990 DOI: 10.1111/nph.14636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2017] [Accepted: 05/02/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Plant bugs (Miridae species), which are sap-sucking insects, have emerged as major pests of cotton in China. Most Miridae species are not sensitive to commercial Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) cotton, resulting in significant economic losses and an increased application of insecticide, which eventually may compromise the future of Bt cotton. We demonstrate that FATTY ACYL-COA REDUCTASE (AsFAR) plays an essential role in the reproduction of the bug Adelphocoris suturalis. Down-regulation of AsFAR expression by injection of double-stranded RNA suppresses ovarian development and female fertility, resulting in females producing few viable offspring. To determine the viability of an RNA interference approach to limit FAR expression and reproductive ability in A. suturalis, a dsRNA targeting the AsFAR gene (dsAsFAR) of A. suturalis was expressed in transgenic cotton plants. AsFAR transcription levels were significantly downregulated in A. suturalis feeding on the transgenic plants. In contained field trials, the transgenic cotton lines significantly suppressed the development of A. suturalis populations and were resistant to damage caused by plant bug infestation. These results suggest a new strategy for the management of plant bug pests of cotton.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Luo
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Sijia Liang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Jianying Li
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Zhongping Xu
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Lun Li
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Bangqin Zhu
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Zhe Li
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Chaoliang Lei
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Keith Lindsey
- Department of Biosciences, Durham University, Durham, DH1 3LE, UK
| | - Lizhen Chen
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
- Hubei Insect Resources Utilization and Sustainable Pest Management Key Laboratory, College of Plant Science and Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Shuangxia Jin
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Xianlong Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan, 430070, China
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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 Biochem Mol Biol 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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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Ding BJ, Löfstedt C. Analysis of the Agrotis segetum pheromone gland transcriptome in the light of sex pheromone biosynthesis. BMC Genomics 2015; 16:711. [PMID: 26385554 PMCID: PMC4575462 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-015-1909-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2015] [Accepted: 09/09/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Moths rely heavily on pheromone communication for mate finding. The pheromone components of most moths are modified from the products of normal fatty acid metabolism by a set of tissue-specific enzymes. The turnip moth, Agrotis segetum uses a series of homologous fatty-alcohol acetate esters ((Z)-5-decenyl, (Z)-7-dodecenyl, and (Z)-9 tetradecenyl acetate) as its sex pheromone components. The ratio of the components differs between populations, making this species an interesting subject for studies of the enzymes involved in the biosynthetic pathway and their influence on sex pheromone variation. RESULTS Illumina sequencing and comparative analysis of the transcriptomes of the pheromone gland and abdominal epidermal tissue, enabled us to identify genes coding for putative key enzymes involved in the pheromone biosynthetic pathway, such as fatty acid synthase, β-oxidation enzymes, fatty-acyl desaturases (FAD), fatty-acyl reductases (FAR), and acetyltransferases. We functionally assayed the previously identified ∆11-desaturase [GenBank: ES583599, JX679209] and FAR [GenBank: JX679210] and candidate acetyltransferases (34 genes) by heterologous expression in yeast. The functional assay confirmed that the ∆11-desaturase interacts with palmitate and produces (Z)-11-hexadecenoate, which is the common unsaturated precursor of three homologous pheromone component acetates produced by subsequent chain-shortening, reduction and acetylation. Much lower, but still visible, activity on 14C and 12C saturated acids may account for minor pheromone compounds previously observed in the pheromone gland. The FAR characterized can operate on various unsaturated fatty acids that are the immediate acyl precursors of the different A. segetum pheromone components. None of the putative acetyltransferases that we expressed heterologously did acetylate any of the fatty alcohols tested as substrates. CONCLUSIONS The massive sequencing technology generates enormous amounts of candidate genes potentially involved in pheromone biosynthesis but testing their function by heterologous expression or gene silencing is a bottleneck. We confirmed the function of a previously identified desaturase gene and a fatty-acyl reductase gene by heterologous expression, but the acetyltransferase postulated to be involved in pheromone biosynthesis remains illusive, in spite of 34 candidates being assayed. We also generated lists of gene candidates that may be useful for characterizing the acetyl-CoA carboxylase, fatty acid synthetase and β-oxidation enzymes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bao-Jian Ding
- Pheromone Group, Department of Biology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 37, SE-223 62, Lund, Sweden.
| | - Christer Löfstedt
- Pheromone Group, Department of Biology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 37, SE-223 62, Lund, Sweden.
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Yew JY, Chung H. Insect pheromones: An overview of function, form, and discovery. Prog Lipid Res 2015; 59:88-105. [DOI: 10.1016/j.plipres.2015.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 102] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2013] [Revised: 05/01/2015] [Accepted: 06/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
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Hagström ÅK, Albre J, Tooman LK, Thirmawithana AH, Corcoran J, Löfstedt C, Newcomb RD. A novel fatty acyl desaturase from the pheromone glands of Ctenopseustis obliquana and C. herana with specific Z5-desaturase activity on myristic acid. J Chem Ecol 2014; 40:63-70. [PMID: 24408442 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-013-0373-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2013] [Revised: 11/15/2013] [Accepted: 12/11/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Sexual communication in the Lepidoptera typically involves a female-produced sex pheromone that attracts males of the same species. The most common type of moth sex pheromone comprises individual or blends of fatty acyl derivatives that are synthesized by a specific enzymatic pathway in the female’s pheromone gland, often including a desaturation step. This reaction is catalyzed by fatty acyl desaturases that introduce double bonds at specific locations in the fatty acid precursor backbone. The two tortricid moths, Ctenopseustis obliquana and C. herana (brown-headed leafrollers), which are endemic in New Zealand, both use (Z)-5-tetradecenyl acetate as part of their sex pheromone. In C. herana, (Z)-5-tetradecenyl acetate is the sole component of the pheromone. Labeling experiments have revealed that this compound is produced via an unusual Δ5-desaturation of myristic acid. Previously six desaturases were identified from the pheromone glands of Ctenopseustis and its sibling genus Planotortrix, with one differentially regulated to produce the distinct blends used by individual species. However, none were able to conduct the Δ5-desaturation observed in C. herana, and presumably C. obliquana. We have now identified an additional desaturase gene, desat7, expressed in the pheromone glands of both Ctenopseustis species, which is not closely related to any previously described moth pheromone desaturase. The encoded enzyme displays Δ5-desaturase activity on myristic acid when heterologously expressed in yeast, but is not able to desaturate any other fatty acid (C8–C16). We conclude that desat7 represents a new group of desaturases that has evolved a role in the biosynthesis of sex pheromones in moths.
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Fujii T, Suzuki MG, Katsuma S, Ito K, Rong Y, Matsumoto S, Ando T, Ishikawa Y. Discovery of a disused desaturase gene from the pheromone gland of the moth Ascotis selenaria, which secretes an epoxyalkenyl sex pheromone. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2013; 441:849-55. [PMID: 24211206 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2013.10.143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2013] [Accepted: 10/28/2013] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Female Ascotis selenaria (Geometridae) moths use 3,4-epoxy-(Z,Z)-6,9-nonadecadiene, which is synthesized from linolenic acid, as the main component of their sex pheromone. While the use of dietary linolenic or linoleic fatty acid derivatives as sex pheromone components has been observed in moth species belonging to a few families including Geometridae, the majority of moths use derivatives of a common saturated fatty acid, palmitic acid, as their sex pheromone components. We attempted to gain insight into the differentiation of pheromone biosynthetic pathways in geometrids by analyzing the desaturase genes expressed in the pheromone gland of A. selenaria. We demonstrated that a Δ11-desaturase-like gene (Asdesat1) was specifically expressed in the pheromone gland of A. selenaria in spite of the absence of a desaturation step in the pheromone biosynthetic pathway in this species. Further analysis revealed that the presumed transmembrane domains were degenerated in Asdesat1. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that Asdesat1 anciently diverged from the lineage of Δ11-desaturases, which are currently widely used in the biosynthesis of sex pheromones by moths. These results suggest that an ancestral Δ11-desaturase became dysfunctional in A. selenaria after a shift in pheromone biosynthetic pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takeshi Fujii
- Graduate School of Bio-Applications and Systems Engineering (BASE), Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Koganei, Tokyo 184-8588, Japan; Molecular Entomology Laboratory, RIKEN (The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research), Wako, Saitama 351-0198, Japan; Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan.
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Wang HL, Zhao CH, Szöcs G, Chinta SP, Schulz S, Löfstedt C. Biosynthesis and PBAN-regulated transport of pheromone polyenes in the winter moth, Operophtera brumata. J Chem Ecol 2013; 39:790-6. [PMID: 23665955 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-013-0292-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2013] [Revised: 03/11/2013] [Accepted: 04/03/2013] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
The trienoic and tetraenoic polyenes, (3Z,6Z,9Z)-3,6,9-nonadecatriene, (3Z,6Z,9Z)-3,6,9-henicosatriene, and (3Z,6Z,9Z)-1,3,6,9-henicosatetraene were found in the abdominal cuticle and pheromone gland of the winter moth Operophtera brumata L. (Lepidoptera: Geometridae), in addition to the previously identified single component sex pheromone (3Z,6Z,9Z)-1,3,6,9-nonadecatetraene. The pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide (PBAN) is involved in the regulation of polyene transport from abdominal cuticle to the pheromone gland. In vivo deuterium labeling experiments showed that (11Z,14Z,17Z)-11,14,17-icosatrienoic acid, the malonate elongation product of linolenic acid, (9Z,12Z,15Z)-9,12,15-octadecatrienoic acid, is used to produce (3Z,6Z,9Z)-3,6,9-nonadecatriene and (3Z,6Z,9Z)-1,3,6,9-nonadecatetraene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Lei Wang
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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