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Shi L, Liu X, Liu H, Shan S, Shen S, Bai M, Lan H, Khashaveh A, Gu S, Zhang Y. Knockout of the delta11-desaturase SfruDES1 disrupts sex pheromone biosynthesis, mating and oviposition in the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda. PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY 2024; 200:105832. [PMID: 38582595 DOI: 10.1016/j.pestbp.2024.105832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
Moth insects rely on sex pheromones for long distance attraction and searching for sex partners. The biosynthesis of moth sex pheromones involves the catalytic action of multiple enzymes, with desaturases playing a crucial role in the process of carbon chain desaturation. However, the specific desaturases involved in sex pheromone biosynthesis in fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, have not been clarified. In this study, a Δ11 desaturase (SfruDES1) gene in FAW was knocked out using the CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing system. A homozygous mutant of SfruDES1 was obtained through genetic crosses. The gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis results showed that the three main sex pheromone components (Z7-12:Ac, Z9-14:Ac, and Z11-16:Ac) and the three minor components (Z9-14:Ald, E11-14:Ac and Z11-14:Ac) of FAW were not detected in homozygous mutant females compared to the wild type. Furthermore, behavioral assay demonstrated that the loss of SfruDES1 resulted in a significant reduction in the attractiveness of females to males, along with disruptions in mating behavior and oviposition. Additionally, in a heterologous expression system, recombinant SfruDES1 could introduce a cis double bond at the Δ11 position in palmitic acid, which resulted in the changes in components of the synthesized products. These findings suggest desaturase plays a key role in the biosynthesis of sex pheromones, and knockout of the SfruDES1 disrupts sex pheromone biosynthesis and mating behavior in FAW. The SfruDES1 could serve as tool to develop a control method for S. frugiperda.
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Affiliation(s)
- Longfei Shi
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Xiaohe Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Huaijing Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Shuang Shan
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; State Key Laboratory of Resource Insects, Institute of Apicultural Research, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Shi Shen
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; College of Agronomy & Reseources and Enviroment, Tianjin Agricultural University, Tianjin 300384, China
| | - Minghui Bai
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China; College of Plant Science &Technology, Huazhong Agricultural University, Wuhan 430070, China
| | - Hao Lan
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Adel Khashaveh
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Shaohua Gu
- College of Plant Protection, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Yongjun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Biology of Plant Diseases and Insect Pests, Institute of Plant Protection, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Beijing 100193, 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] [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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Yang Y, Tao J, Zong S. Identification of putative Type-I sex pheromone biosynthesis-related genes expressed in the female pheromone gland of Streltzoviella insularis. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0227666. [PMID: 31945099 PMCID: PMC6964838 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0227666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Species-specific sex pheromones play key roles in moth sexual communication. Although the general pathway of Type-I sex pheromone biosynthesis is well established, only a handful of genes encoding enzymes involved in this pathway have been characterized. Streltzoviella insularis is a destructive wood-boring pest of many street trees in China, and the female sex pheromone of this species comprises a blend of (Z)-3-tetradecenyl acetate, (E)-3-tetradecenyl acetate, and (Z)-5-dodecenyl acetate. This organism therefore provides an excellent model for research on the diversity of genes and molecular mechanisms involved in pheromone production. Herein, we assembled the pheromone gland transcriptome of S. insularis by next-generation sequencing and identified 74 genes encoding candidate key enzymes involved in the fatty acid biosynthesis, β-oxidation, and functional group modification. In addition, tissue expression patterns further showed that an acetyl-CoA carboxylase and two desaturases were highly expressed in the pheromone glands compared with the other tissues, indicating possible roles in S. insularis sex pheromone biosynthesis. Finally, we proposed putative S. insularis biosynthetic pathways for sex pheromone components and highlighted candidate genes. Our findings lay a solid foundation for understanding the molecular mechanisms underpinning S. insularis sex pheromone biosynthesis, and provide potential targets for disrupting chemical communication that could assist the development of novel pest control methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuchao Yang
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Forest Pest Control, School of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Tao
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Forest Pest Control, School of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
| | - Shixiang Zong
- Beijing Key Laboratory for Forest Pest Control, School of Forestry, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
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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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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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Zhang YN, Zhang LW, Chen DS, Sun L, Li ZQ, Ye ZF, Zheng MY, Li JB, Zhu XY. Molecular identification of differential expression genes associated with sex pheromone biosynthesis in Spodoptera exigua. Mol Genet Genomics 2017; 292:795-809. [PMID: 28349297 DOI: 10.1007/s00438-017-1307-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2016] [Accepted: 03/02/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Species-specific sex pheromone is biosynthesized and released in most female moths as a chemical cue in mating communication. However, information on genes involved in this pathway is limited. The beet armyworm, Spodoptera exigua, is a cosmopolitan agricultural pest that causes severe economic losses to many crops. In China, the female sex pheromones in sex pheromone glands (PGs) of S. exigua have been measured which comprises (Z,E)-9,12-tetradecadienyl acetate, (Z)-9-tetradecen-l-ol, (Z)-9-tetradecenyl acetate, and (Z,E)-9,12-tetradecadien-1-ol in a ratio of 47:18:18:17. Fifty-nine putative genes related to sex pheromone biosynthesis were identified in the present study by sequencing and analyzing the sex pheromone gland (PG) transcriptome of S. exigua. Expression profiles revealed that two desaturase (SexiDes5 and SexiDes11) and three fatty acyl reductase (SexiFAR2, 3, and 9) genes had PG-specific expression, and phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that they clustered with genes known to be involved in pheromone synthesis in other moth species. Our results provide crucial background information that could facilitate the elucidation of sex pheromone biosynthesis pathway of S. exigua as well as other Spodoptera species and help identify potential targets for disrupting sexual communication in S. exigua for developing novel environment-friendly pesticides.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Nan Zhang
- College of Life Sciences, Huaibei Normal University, No. 100, Dongshan Road, Huaibei, 235000, People's Republic of China
| | - Long-Wa Zhang
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of Microbial Control, School of Forestry & Landscape Architecture, Anhui Agricultural University, No. 130, Changjiang West Road, Hefei, 230036, People's Republic of China.
| | - Da-Song Chen
- Guangdong Entomological Institute, Guangzhou, 510260, People's Republic of China
| | - Liang Sun
- Key Laboratory of Tea Biology and Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Tea Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, 310008, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhao-Qun Li
- Key Laboratory of Tea Biology and Resources Utilization, Ministry of Agriculture, Tea Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou, 310008, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhan-Feng Ye
- Education Ministry, Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, People's Republic of China
| | - Mei-Yan Zheng
- Education Ministry, Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests, College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, People's Republic of China
| | - Jin-Bu Li
- College of Life Sciences, Huaibei Normal University, No. 100, Dongshan Road, Huaibei, 235000, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiu-Yun Zhu
- College of Life Sciences, Huaibei Normal University, No. 100, Dongshan Road, Huaibei, 235000, People's Republic of China.
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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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Köblös G, Dankó T, Sipos K, Geiger Á, Szlanka T, Fodor J, Fónagy A. The regulation of Δ11-desaturase gene expression in the pheromone gland of Mamestra brassicae (Lepidoptera; Noctuidae) during pheromonogenesis. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2015; 221:217-27. [PMID: 25796477 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2015.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2014] [Revised: 02/27/2015] [Accepted: 03/06/2015] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
Cabbage moth (Mamestra brassicae) females produce sex pheromones to attract conspecific males. In our M. brassicae colony, the pheromone blend is composed of Z11-hexadecenyl acetate (Z11-16Ac) and hexadecyl acetate (16Ac) in a 93:7 ratio. A fatty acyl Δ11-desaturase is involved in the production of the main pheromone component. The release of Pheromone Biosynthesis Activating Neuropeptide (PBAN) regulates the pheromone production in the pheromone gland (PG). We cloned a cDNA encoding the MambrΔ11-desaturase and analyzed its expression profile over time in M. brassicae tissues. Transcript levels of the Δ11-desaturase in larvae, pupal PGs, fat body, brain and muscle tissues were <0.1% of that in female PGs, whereas expression in male genitalia was 2%. In the PGs of virgin females the expression level increased continuously from eclosion to the end of the 1st day when it reached a plateau without further significant fluctuation up to the 8th day. In contrast, we recorded a characteristic daily rhythmicity in pheromone production with a maximum around 200 ng Z11-16Ac/PG. In some experiments, females were decapitated to prevent PBAN release and thereby inhibit pheromone production, which remarkably increased after treatment with Mambr-Pheromonotropin. Further experiments revealed that mating resulted in a significant suppression of pheromone production. However, expression of the Δ11-desaturase was not affected by any of these interventions, suggesting that it's not regulated by PBAN. Fluorescent microscopy was used to study the potential role of lipid droplets during pheromone production, however, no lipid droplets were identified indicating that pheromonogenesis is regulated via de novo fatty acid synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella Köblös
- Department of Pathophysiology, Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Herman Ottó út 15, H-1022 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tamás Dankó
- Ecotoxicology and Environmental Analysis Group, Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Herman Ottó út 15, H-1022 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Kitti Sipos
- Ecotoxicology and Environmental Analysis Group, Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Herman Ottó út 15, H-1022 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Ágnes Geiger
- Department of Entomology, Faculty of Horticultural Science, Corvinus University of Budapest, H-1118 Ménesi út, 44, H-1118 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Tamás Szlanka
- Institute of Biochemistry, Biological Research Centre, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Temesvári krt. 62, H-6726 Szeged, Hungary
| | - József Fodor
- Department of Pathophysiology, Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Herman Ottó út 15, H-1022 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Adrien Fónagy
- Ecotoxicology and Environmental Analysis Group, Plant Protection Institute, Centre for Agricultural Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Herman Ottó út 15, H-1022 Budapest, Hungary.
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Li ZQ, Zhang S, Luo JY, Wang CY, Lv LM, Dong SL, Cui JJ. Transcriptome comparison of the sex pheromone glands from two sibling Helicoverpa species with opposite sex pheromone components. Sci Rep 2015; 5:9324. [PMID: 25792497 PMCID: PMC4366804 DOI: 10.1038/srep09324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2014] [Accepted: 02/17/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Differences in sex pheromone component can lead to reproductive isolation. The sibling noctuid species, Helicoverpa armigera and Helicoverpa assulta, share the same two sex pheromone components, Z9-16:Ald and Z11-16:Ald, but in opposite ratios, providing an typical example of such reproductive isolation. To investigate how the ratios of the pheromone components are differently regulated in the two species, we sequenced cDNA libraries from the pheromone glands of H. armigera and H. assulta. After assembly and annotation, we identified 108 and 93 transcripts putatively involved in pheromone biosynthesis, transport, and degradation in H. armigera and H. assulta, respectively. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR, qRT-PCR, phylogenetic, and mRNA abundance analyses suggested that some of these transcripts involved in the sex pheromone biosynthesis pathways perform. Based on these results, we postulate that the regulation of desaturases, KPSE and LPAQ, might be key factor regulating the opposite component ratios in the two sibling moths. In addition, our study has yielded large-scale sequence information for further studies and can be used to identify potential targets for the bio-control of these species by disrupting their sexual communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhao-Qun Li
- 1] State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Institute of Cotton Research of CAAS, Anyang 455000, China [2] College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University/Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests (Nanjing Agricultural University), Ministry of Education, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Shuai Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Institute of Cotton Research of CAAS, Anyang 455000, China
| | - Jun-Yu Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Institute of Cotton Research of CAAS, Anyang 455000, China
| | - Chun-Yi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Institute of Cotton Research of CAAS, Anyang 455000, China
| | - Li-Min Lv
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Institute of Cotton Research of CAAS, Anyang 455000, China
| | - Shuang-Lin Dong
- College of Plant Protection, Nanjing Agricultural University/Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Crop Diseases and Pests (Nanjing Agricultural University), Ministry of Education, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Jin-Jie Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Cotton Biology, Institute of Cotton Research of CAAS, Anyang 455000, China
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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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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 PMCID: PMC3909261 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-013-0373-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [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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Hagström ÅK, Wang HL, Liénard MA, Lassance JM, Johansson T, Löfstedt C. A moth pheromone brewery: production of (Z)-11-hexadecenol by heterologous co-expression of two biosynthetic genes from a noctuid moth in a yeast cell factory. Microb Cell Fact 2013; 12:125. [PMID: 24330839 PMCID: PMC4126085 DOI: 10.1186/1475-2859-12-125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2013] [Accepted: 12/09/2013] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Moths (Lepidoptera) are highly dependent on chemical communication to find a mate. Compared to conventional unselective insecticides, synthetic pheromones have successfully served to lure male moths as a specific and environmentally friendly way to control important pest species. However, the chemical synthesis and purification of the sex pheromone components in large amounts is a difficult and costly task. The repertoire of enzymes involved in moth pheromone biosynthesis in insecta can be seen as a library of specific catalysts that can be used to facilitate the synthesis of a particular chemical component. In this study, we present a novel approach to effectively aid in the preparation of semi-synthetic pheromone components using an engineered vector co-expressing two key biosynthetic enzymes in a simple yeast cell factory. RESULTS We first identified and functionally characterized a ∆11 Fatty-Acyl Desaturase and a Fatty-Acyl Reductase from the Turnip moth, Agrotis segetum. The ∆11-desaturase produced predominantly Z11-16:acyl, a common pheromone component precursor, from the abundant yeast palmitic acid and the FAR transformed a series of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids into their corresponding alcohols which may serve as pheromone components in many moth species. Secondly, when we co-expressed the genes in the Brewer's yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, a set of long-chain fatty acids and alcohols that are not naturally occurring in yeast were produced from inherent yeast fatty acids, and the presence of (Z)-11-hexadecenol (Z11-16:OH), demonstrated that both heterologous enzymes were active in concert. A 100 ml batch yeast culture produced on average 19.5 μg Z11-16:OH. Finally, we demonstrated that oxidized extracts from the yeast cells containing (Z)-11-hexadecenal and other aldehyde pheromone compounds elicited specific electrophysiological activity from male antennae of the Tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens, supporting the idea that genes from different species can be used as a molecular toolbox to produce pheromone components or pheromone component precursors of potential use for control of a variety of moths. CONCLUSIONS This study is a first proof-of-principle that it is possible to "brew" biologically active moth pheromone components through in vitro co-expression of pheromone biosynthetic enzymes, without having to provide supplementary precursors. Substrates present in the yeast alone appear to be sufficient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Åsa K Hagström
- Pheromone Group, Department of Biology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.
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Buček A, Vogel H, Matoušková P, Prchalová D, Záček P, Vrkoslav V, Šebesta P, Svatoš A, Jahn U, Valterová I, Pichová I. The role of desaturases in the biosynthesis of marking pheromones in bumblebee males. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2013; 43:724-731. [PMID: 23727612 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2013.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2013] [Revised: 05/07/2013] [Accepted: 05/10/2013] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Bumblebee males (Hymenoptera) produce species-specific labial gland secretions called marking pheromones (MPs). MPs generally consist of terpenoids and fatty-acid-derived aliphatic compounds with various chain lengths predominantly containing one or no double bonds. The unsaturated fatty-acid-derived MP components were hypothesized to be produced by fatty acid desaturases (FADs) that exhibit diverse substrate specificities. To address this hypothesis, we isolated and functionally characterized FADs from three bumblebee species: Bombus lucorum, Bombus terrestris, and Bombus lapidarius. By employing RNA sequencing of the male labial glands and fat bodies of B. lucorum and B. terrestris, we identified five paralogous FAD-like sequences but only two FAD lineages were abundant and differentially expressed in the labial glands. We found that abundant FAD lineages were also expressed in the labial gland and fat body of Bombus lapidarius. Functional characterization of FADs in a yeast expression system confirmed that Δ4-FADs exhibited a unique Δ4-desaturase activity exclusively on 14-carbon fatty acyls and Δ9-FADs displayed Δ9-desaturase activity on 14- to 18-carbon fatty acyls. These results indicate that Δ9-FADs are involved in the biosynthesis of major unsaturated components of MPs in B. lucorum and B. lapidarius despite the diverse MP composition of these bumblebee species. The contribution of lipases, acyltransferases, esterases, and fatty acid reductases to production of the species-specific MP composition is also discussed in light of the transcriptomic data obtained in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleš Buček
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, v.v.i. Flemingovo n. 2, 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic
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Horne I, Gibb N, Damcevski K, Glover K, Haritos VS. Two conserved Z9-octadecanoic acid desaturases in the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum. Gene 2010; 468:41-7. [PMID: 20709164 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2010.08.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2010] [Revised: 07/22/2010] [Accepted: 08/04/2010] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Z9 Desaturases catalyse the formation of a cis-unsaturated bond in the Δ9 position of the saturated fatty acids stearate and palmitate. They are considered essential enzymes in eukaryotic organisms as their Z9 unsaturated fatty acid products are required for homeostatic roles such as maintenance of membrane fluidity. Two putative Z9 acyl Coenzyme-A desaturase genes were identified in the red flour beetle, Tribolium castaneum, genome (TcasZ9desA and B) based on their similarity to acyl CoA-desaturases of other insects. TcasZ9desA and B share 75% nucleic acid sequence identity and appear to be functionally conserved; the genes were cloned and expressed in the yeast strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae (ole1); both genes complemented the yeast requirement for Z9 fatty acids and produced substantial quantities of Z9 desaturated products with a stearate>palmitate chain length preference. Quantitative PCR analysis of transcripts in RNA obtained from adult, larval and pupal stages of the beetles show TcasZ9desA and B are expressed at similar levels in all stages, with the pupal stage having the lowest expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Horne
- CSIRO Entomology, GPO Box 1700, Canberra, ACT 2601, Australia
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Groot AT, Estock ML, Horovitz JL, Hamilton J, Santangelo RG, Schal C, Gould F. QTL analysis of sex pheromone blend differences between two closely related moths: Insights into divergence in biosynthetic pathways. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2009; 39:568-577. [PMID: 19477278 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2009.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2009] [Revised: 05/10/2009] [Accepted: 05/14/2009] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
To understand the evolution of premating signals in moths, it is important to know the genetic basis of these signals. We conducted Quantitative Trait Locus (QTL) analysis by hybridizing two noctuid moth species, Heliothis virescens (Hv) and Heliothis subflexa (Hs), and backcrossing the F(1) females to males of both parental species. One of these backcrosses (F(1) x Hs) was a biological replicate of our previous study (Sheck et al., 2006) and served to test the robustness of our previous findings. The backcross to Hv was designed to reveal QTL with recessive inheritance of the Hv character state. This study confirms previously discovered QTL, but also reports new QTL. Most importantly, we found relatively large QTL affecting Z9-16:Ald, the critical sex pheromone component of Hs. For Z9-14:Ald, the critical sex pheromone component of Hv, as well as for the minor pheromone compound 14:Ald, we found QTL in which the change in pheromone ratio was opposite-to-expected. Linking QTL to the biosynthetic pathways of the pheromone compounds of Hv and Hs implicates several candidate genes in the divergence of these premating signals, the most important of which are acetyl transferase, one or more desaturase(s), and a fatty acyl reductase or alcohol oxidase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Astrid T Groot
- Department of Entomology and W. M. Keck Center for Behavioral Biology, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-1713, USA.
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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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