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Xu D, Tong Y, Chen B, Li B, Wang S, Zhang D. The influence of first desaturase subfamily genes on fatty acid synthesis, desiccation tolerance and inter-caste nutrient transfer in the termite Coptotermes formosanus. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2024; 33:55-68. [PMID: 37750189 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
Desaturase enzymes play an essential role in the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs). In this study, we identified seven "first desaturase" subfamily genes (Cfor-desatA1, Cfor-desatA2-a, Cfor-desatA2-b, Cfor-desatB-a, Cfor-desatB-b, Cfor-desatD and Cfor-desatE) from the Formosan subterranean termite Coptotermes formosanus. These desaturases were highly expressed in the cuticle and fat body of C. formosanus. Inhibition of either the Cfor-desatA2-a or Cfor-desatA2-b gene resulted in a significant decrease in the contents of fatty acids (C16:0, C18:0, C18:1 and C18:2) in worker castes. Moreover, we observed that inhibition of most of desaturase genes identified in this study had a negative impact on the survival rate and desiccation tolerance of workers. Interestingly, when normal soldiers were reared together with dsCfor-desatA2-b-treated workers, they exhibited higher mortality, suggesting that desaturase had an impact on trophallaxis among C. formosanus castes. Our findings shed light on the novel roles of desaturase family genes in the eusocial termite C. formosanus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danni Xu
- The Key Laboratory for Quality Improvement of Agricultural Products of Zhejiang Province, College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yuxin Tong
- The Key Laboratory for Quality Improvement of Agricultural Products of Zhejiang Province, College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, China
- School of Forestry and Biotechnology, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Bosheng Chen
- The Key Laboratory for Quality Improvement of Agricultural Products of Zhejiang Province, College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Baoling Li
- The Key Laboratory for Quality Improvement of Agricultural Products of Zhejiang Province, College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Shengyin Wang
- The Key Laboratory for Quality Improvement of Agricultural Products of Zhejiang Province, College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Dayu Zhang
- The Key Laboratory for Quality Improvement of Agricultural Products of Zhejiang Province, College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, China
- School of Forestry and Biotechnology, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou, China
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Zhu S, Shaheen T, Li R, Pei P, Zhao X, Li Y, Li F, Tang G. Transcriptome analysis and identification of sex pheromone biosynthesis and transport related genes in Atrijuglans hetaohei (Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea). INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2022; 31:273-285. [PMID: 34923695 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12757] [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: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Atrijuglans hetaohei Yang (Lepidoptera: Gelechioidea) is one of the major pests that can seriously damage the walnut tree, leading to harvest loss. Sex pheromones regulate mating communication and reproduction in insects and provide targets for developing a novel pest control strategy. In this study, by transcriptomic sequencing and analysis of the female pheromone gland (PG) and male genitalia of A. hetaohei, we identified 92 putative genes, of which 7 desaturases (Dess), 8 fatty acyl reductases (FARs), 4 fatty acid synthetases (FASs), 2 aldehyde oxidases (AOXs), 4 acetyltransferases (ACTs), 1 chemosensory protein (CSP), and 2 odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) were predominantly expressed in the female PG, while 5 Dess, 11 FARs, 7 FASs, 6 AOXs, 1 ACT, and 1 CSP showed more robust expression in the male genitalia. Moreover, phylogenetic analysis revealed that 7 Dess and 1 FAR were grouped with genes involved in pheromone synthesis in other Lepidoptera species. Thus, we proposed that these candidate genes are possibly involved in the sex pheromone biosynthetic pathway in A. hetaohei. Our findings will provide a solid genetic basis for further exploring the function of the tissue-biased genes and may be useful to screen potential targets for interfering chemical communication in A. hetaohei.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuying Zhu
- College of Forestry, Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Management of Forest Bio-Disaster, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Tayyab Shaheen
- College of Forestry, Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Management of Forest Bio-Disaster, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Rong Li
- College of Forestry, Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Management of Forest Bio-Disaster, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Pei Pei
- College of Forestry, Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Management of Forest Bio-Disaster, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xing Zhao
- College of Forestry, Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Management of Forest Bio-Disaster, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Yan Li
- College of Forestry, Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Management of Forest Bio-Disaster, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Feifei Li
- College of Forestry, Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Management of Forest Bio-Disaster, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
| | - Guanghui Tang
- College of Forestry, Key Laboratory of National Forestry and Grassland Administration on Management of Forest Bio-Disaster, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, China
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Hambalko J, Gajdoš P, Nicaud JM, Ledesma-Amaro R, Tupec M, Pichová I, Čertík M. Production of Long Chain Fatty Alcohols Found in Bumblebee Pheromones by Yarrowia lipolytica. Front Bioeng Biotechnol 2021; 8:593419. [PMID: 33490049 PMCID: PMC7820814 DOI: 10.3389/fbioe.2020.593419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Fatty alcohols (FA-OH) are aliphatic unbranched primary alcohols with a chain of four or more carbon atoms. Besides potential industrial applications, fatty alcohols have important biological functions as well. In nature, fatty alcohols are produced as a part of a mixture of pheromones in several insect species, such as moths, termites, bees, wasps, etc. In addition, FA-OHs have a potential for agricultural applications, for example, they may be used as a suitable substitute for commercial insecticides. The insecticides have several drawbacks associated with their preparation, and they exert a negative impact on the environment. Currently, pheromone components are prepared mainly through the catalytic hydrogenation of plant oils and petrochemicals, which is an unsustainable, ecologically unfriendly, and highly expensive process. The biotechnological production of the pheromone components using engineered microbial strains and through the expression of the enzymes participating in the biosynthesis of these components is a promising approach that ensures ecological sustenance as well. The present study was aimed at evaluating the production of FA-OHs in the oleaginous yeast, Yarrowia lipolytica, with different lengths of fatty-acyl chains by expressing the fatty acyl-CoA reductase (FAR) BlapFAR4 from B. lapidarius, producing C16:0-OH, C16:1Δ9-OH, and lower quantities of both C14:0-OH and C18:1Δ9-OH, and BlucFAR1 from B. lucorum, producing FA-OHs with a chain length of 18-26 carbon atoms, in this yeast. Among the different novel Y. lipolytica strains used in the present study, the best results were obtained with JMY7086, which carried several lipid metabolism modifications and expressed the BlucFAR1 gene under the control of a strong constitutive promoter 8UAS-pTEF. JMY7086 produced only saturated fatty alcohols with chain lengths from 18 to 24 carbon atoms. The highest titer and accumulation achieved were 166.6 mg/L and 15.6 mg/g DCW of fatty alcohols, respectively. Unlike JMY7086, the BlapFAR4-expressing strain JMY7090 produced only 16 carbon atom-long FA-OHs with a titer of 14.6 mg/L.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaroslav Hambalko
- Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Institute of Biotechnology, Slovak University of Technology, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Peter Gajdoš
- Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Institute of Biotechnology, Slovak University of Technology, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Jean-Marc Nicaud
- French National Research Institute for Agriculture (INRAE), Food and Environment, AgroParisTech, Micalis Institute, Université Paris-Saclay, Jouy-en-Josas, France
| | - Rodrigo Ledesma-Amaro
- Department of Bioengineering and Imperial College Centre for Synthetic Biology, Faculty of Engineering, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Michal Tupec
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Iva Pichová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Milan Čertík
- Faculty of Chemical and Food Technology, Institute of Biotechnology, Slovak University of Technology, Bratislava, Slovakia
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The Desaturase Gene Nlug-desatA2 Regulates the Performance of the Brown Planthopper Nilaparvata lugens and Its Relationship with Rice. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21114143. [PMID: 32532001 PMCID: PMC7312190 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21114143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2020] [Revised: 06/04/2020] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Insect desaturases are known to play an important role in chemical communication between individuals. However, their roles in insect growth, development and fecundity, and in regulating interactions of insects with plants, remain largely unknown. In this study, we explored the functions of Nlug-desatA2, a desaturase gene of the brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens (Stål). The RNA interference-based knockdown of Nlug-desatA2 decreased the ratio of monounsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids, and the level of fatty acids and triglycerides in BPH. Nlug-desatA2-knockdown also reduced the food intake, body mass and fecundity of female BPH adults, and led to abdomen atrophy and ovarian agenesis. Nlug-desatA2-knockdown suppressed the transcription of TOR (target of rapamycin), Lpp (Lipophorin) and AKHR (adipokinetic hormone receptor) in female adults. Moreover, the corrected survival rate of BPH with Nlug-desatA2-knockdown fed an artificial diet was higher than the survival rate of those fed on rice plants. Higher levels of salicylic acid in rice infested by Nlug-desatA2-knockdown female BPH adults than in rice infested by control BPH may be the reason. These findings demonstrate that Nlug-desatA2 has an essential role in lipid metabolism and is involved in the food intake, survival, development and fecundity of BPH. In addition, this gene is likely involved in regulating the responses of rice to BPH infestation.
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Desaturase specificity is controlled by the physicochemical properties of a single amino acid residue in the substrate binding tunnel. Comput Struct Biotechnol J 2020; 18:1202-1209. [PMID: 32542106 PMCID: PMC7283083 DOI: 10.1016/j.csbj.2020.05.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Revised: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 05/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Membrane fatty acyl desaturases (mFAD) are ubiquitous enzymes in eukaryotes. They introduce double bonds into fatty acids (FAs), producing structurally diverse unsaturated FAs which serve as membrane lipid components or precursors of signaling molecules. The mechanisms controlling enzymatic specificity and selectivity of desaturation are, however, poorly understood. We found that the physicochemical properties, particularly side chain volume, of a single amino acid (aa) residue in insect mFADs (Lepidoptera: Bombyx mori and Manduca sexta) control the desaturation products. Molecular dynamics simulations of systems comprising wild-type or mutant mFADs with fatty acyl-CoA substrates revealed that the single aa substitution likely directs the outcome of the desaturation reaction by modulating the distance between substrate fatty acyl carbon atoms and active center metal ions. These findings, as well as our methodology combining mFAD mutational screening with molecular dynamics simulations, will facilitate prediction of desaturation products and facilitate engineering of mFADs for biotechnological applications.
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The Desaturase Gene Family is Crucially Required for Fatty Acid Metabolism and Survival of the Brown Planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:ijms20061369. [PMID: 30893760 PMCID: PMC6472150 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20061369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2019] [Revised: 03/13/2019] [Accepted: 03/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Desaturases are essentially required for unsaturated fatty acid (UFA) biosynthesis. We identified 10 genes encoding putative desaturases in the transcriptome database of the brown planthopper (BPH), Nilaparvata lugens. These include eight First Desaturase family genes, one cytochrome b5 fused desaturase gene (Nlug-Cytb5r) and one Sphingolipid Desaturase gene (Nlug-ifc). Transcript level profiling revealed significant variation in the expression patterns of these genes across tissues and developmental stages, which occur in a gene-specific manner. Interestingly, their expression was also modulated by the insect food source: the mRNA levels of Nlug-desatC and Nlug-Cytb5r were down-regulated, but the expression level of Nlug-desatA1-b and Nlug-desatA1-c were elevated in the BPH fed on the resistant rice variety Babawee as compared to the non-resistant variety Taichun Native 1 (TN1). Silencing Nlug-desatA1-b, Nlug-desatA1-c, or Nlug-Ifc reduced fatty acid composition and abundance in female BPH 1-d-old-adults compared to controls. Whereas, single knockdown of all ten desaturase genes significantly increased mortality of BPH nymphs compared with controls. Of the ten desaturase genes, knockdown of Nlug-desatA1-b and Nlug-desatA2 caused the highest mortality in BPH (91% and 97%, respectively). Our findings offer a base for expression and functional characterization of newly identified desaturase genes in BPH, and may contribute to RNA interference-based pest management strategies.
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Tupec M, Buček A, Janoušek V, Vogel H, Prchalová D, Kindl J, Pavlíčková T, Wenzelová P, Jahn U, Valterová I, Pichová I. Expansion of the fatty acyl reductase gene family shaped pheromone communication in Hymenoptera. eLife 2019; 8:e39231. [PMID: 30714899 PMCID: PMC6361591 DOI: 10.7554/elife.39231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2018] [Accepted: 01/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Fatty acyl reductases (FARs) are involved in the biosynthesis of fatty alcohols that serve a range of biological roles. Insects typically harbor numerous FAR gene family members. While some FARs are involved in pheromone biosynthesis, the biological significance of the large number of FARs in insect genomes remains unclear. Using bumble bee (Bombini) FAR expression analysis and functional characterization, hymenopteran FAR gene tree reconstruction, and inspection of transposable elements (TEs) in the genomic environment of FARs, we uncovered a massive expansion of the FAR gene family in Hymenoptera, presumably facilitated by TEs. The expansion occurred in the common ancestor of bumble bees and stingless bees (Meliponini). We found that bumble bee FARs from the expanded FAR-A ortholog group contribute to the species-specific pheromone composition. Our results indicate that expansion and functional diversification of the FAR gene family played a key role in the evolution of pheromone communication in Hymenoptera.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Tupec
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of SciencesPragueCzech Republic
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of ScienceCharles UniversityPragueCzech Republic
| | - Aleš Buček
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of SciencesPragueCzech Republic
- Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate UniversityOkinawaJapan
| | - Václav Janoušek
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of ScienceCharles UniversityPragueCzech Republic
| | - Heiko Vogel
- Department of EntomologyMax Planck Institute for Chemical EcologyJenaGermany
| | - Darina Prchalová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of SciencesPragueCzech Republic
| | - Jiří Kindl
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of SciencesPragueCzech Republic
| | - Tereza Pavlíčková
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of SciencesPragueCzech Republic
| | - Petra Wenzelová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of SciencesPragueCzech Republic
| | - Ullrich Jahn
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of SciencesPragueCzech Republic
| | - Irena Valterová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of SciencesPragueCzech Republic
| | - Iva Pichová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of SciencesPragueCzech Republic
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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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Giri S, Rule DC, Dillon ME. Fatty acid composition in native bees: Associations with thermal and feeding ecology. Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol 2018; 218:70-79. [PMID: 29409996 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpa.2018.01.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2017] [Revised: 01/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2018] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Fatty acid (FA) composition of lipids plays a crucial role in the functioning of lipid-containing structures in organisms and may be affected by the temperature an organism experiences, as well as its diet. We compared FA composition among four bee genera: Andrena, Bombus, Megachile, and Osmia which differ in their thermal ecology and diet. Fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) were prepared by direct transesterification with KOH and analyzed using gas-liquid chromatography with a flame ionization detector. Sixteen total FAs ranging in chain length from eight to 22 carbon atoms were identified. Linear discriminant analysis separated the bees based on their FA composition. Andrena was characterized by relatively high concentrations of polyunsaturated FAs, Bombus by high monounsaturated FAs and Megachilids (Megachile and Osmia) by relatively high amounts of saturated FAs. These differences in FA composition may in part be explained by variation in the diets of these bees. Because tongue (proboscis) length may be used as a proxy for the types of flowers bees may visit for nectar and pollen, we compared FA composition among Bombus that differed in proboscis length (but have similar thermal ecology). A clear separation in FA composition within Bombus with varying proboscis lengths was found using linear discriminant analysis. Further, comparing the relationship between each genus by cluster analysis revealed aggregations by genus that were not completely separated, suggesting potential overlap in dietary acquisition of FAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susma Giri
- Department of Zoology and Physiology & Program in Ecology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA
| | - Daniel C Rule
- Department of Animal Science, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA
| | - Michael E Dillon
- Department of Zoology and Physiology & Program in Ecology, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY, USA.
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Buček A, Brabcová J, Vogel H, Prchalová D, Kindl J, Valterová I, Pichová I. Exploring complex pheromone biosynthetic processes in the bumblebee male labial gland by RNA sequencing. INSECT MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2016; 25:295-314. [PMID: 26945888 DOI: 10.1111/imb.12221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Male marking pheromones (MPs) are used by the majority of bumblebee species (Hymenoptera: Apidae), including a commercially important greenhouse pollinator, the buff-tailed bumblebee (Bombus terrestris), to attract conspecific females. MP biosynthetic processes in the cephalic part of the bumblebee male labial gland (LG) are of extraordinary complexity, involving enzymes of fatty acid and isoprenoid biosynthesis, which jointly produce more than 50 compounds. We employed a differential transcriptomic approach to identify candidate genes involved in MP biosynthesis by sequencing Bombus terrestris LG and fat body (FB) transcriptomes. We identified 12 454 abundantly expressed gene products (reads per kilobase of exon model per million mapped reads value > 1) that had significant hits in the GenBank nonredundant database. Of these, 876 were upregulated in the LG (> 4-fold difference). We identified more than 140 candidate genes potentially involved in MP biosynthesis, including esterases, fatty acid reductases, lipases, enzymes involved in limited fatty acid chain shortening, neuropeptide receptors and enzymes involved in biosynthesis of triacylglycerols, isoprenoids and fatty acids. For selected candidates, we confirmed their abundant expression in LG using quantitative real-time reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR). Our study shows that the Bombus terrestris LG transcriptome reflects both fatty acid and isoprenoid MP biosynthetic processes and identifies rational gene targets for future studies to disentangle the molecular basis of MP biosynthesis. Additionally, LG and FB transcriptomes enrich the available transcriptomic resources for Bombus terrestris.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Buček
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - J Brabcová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - H Vogel
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany
| | - D Prchalová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - J Kindl
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - I Valterová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - I Pichová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
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11
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Prchalová D, Buček A, Brabcová J, Žáček P, Kindl J, Valterová I, Pichová I. Regulation of Isoprenoid Pheromone Biosynthesis in Bumblebee Males. Chembiochem 2015; 17:260-7. [PMID: 26632352 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201500415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2015] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Males of the closely related species Bombus terrestris and Bombus lucorum attract conspecific females by completely different marking pheromones. MP of B. terrestris and B. lucorum pheromones contain mainly isoprenoid (ISP) compounds and fatty acid derivatives, respectively. Here, we studied the regulation of ISP biosynthesis in both bumblebees. RNA-seq and qRT-PCR analyses indicated that acetoacetyl-CoA thiolase (AACT), 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (HMGR), and farnesyl diphosphate synthase (FPPS) transcripts are abundant in the B. terrestris labial gland. Maximal abundance of these transcripts correlated well with AACT enzymatic activity detected in the LG extracts. In contrast, transcript abundances of AACT, HMGR, and FPPS in B. lucorum were low, and AACT activity was not detected in LGs. These results suggest that transcriptional regulation plays a key role in the control of ISP biosynthetic gene expression and ISP pheromone biosynthesis in bumblebee males.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darina Prchalová
- 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
| | - 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
| | - Jana Brabcová
- 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
| | - Petr Žáček
- 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
| | - Jiří Kindl
- 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
| | - Irena Valterová
- 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
| | - Iva Pichová
- 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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Žáček P, Kindl J, Frišonsová K, Průchová M, Votavová A, Hovorka O, Kovalczuk T, Valterová I. Biosynthetic Studies of the Male Marking Pheromone in Bumblebees by Using Labelled Fatty Acids and Two-Dimensional Gas Chromatography with Mass Detection. Chempluschem 2015; 80:839-850. [PMID: 31973346 DOI: 10.1002/cplu.201402420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2014] [Revised: 02/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Two-dimensional comprehensive gas chromatography (GC×GC) coupled with mass detection was used as a tool for biosynthetic studies of bumblebee pheromones. Prior to biosynthetic experiments, the chromatographic behaviour of isotopically modified esters in the GC×GC system as well as their behaviour in mass detection was studied. The male marking pheromones of Bombus lucorum, Bombus lapidarius and Bombus terrestris were investigated. Main pheromonal components are ethyl tetradec-9-enoate (53 %) and ethyl dodecanoate (6 %) in B. lucorum, hexadec-9-en-1-ol (52 %) and hexadecan-1-ol (31 %) in B. lapidarius, and 2,3-dihydrofarnesol (58 %) and ethyl dodecanoate (15 %) in B. terrestris. The research strategy was based on 1) in vivo incubation of isotopically (2 H, 13 C) modified fatty acids (FAs) and analysis of their metabolites and 2) feeding experiments with 2 H- and 13 C-labelled FAs mixed with food. It was observed that labelled FAs were modified into the most abundant aliphatic compounds present in labial gland secretions. In feeding experiments, the labelled FAs were transformed into pheromone components. Transport of the FA precursors from the fat body through haemolymph was confirmed. The results show that FAs, stored in the form of triacylglycerols in the fat body, are likely to participate in the biosynthesis of some aliphatic pheromone components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Petr Žáček
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Flemingovo nám. 2, 166 10 Prague 6 (Czech Republic).,Faculty of Science, Charles University, Albertov 8, 128 40 Prague 2 (Czech Republic)
| | - Jiří Kindl
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Flemingovo nám. 2, 166 10 Prague 6 (Czech Republic)
| | - Kateřina Frišonsová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Flemingovo nám. 2, 166 10 Prague 6 (Czech Republic)
| | - Markéta Průchová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Flemingovo nám. 2, 166 10 Prague 6 (Czech Republic)
| | - Alena Votavová
- Agricultural Research, Zahradní 1, 66441 Troubsko (Czech Republic)
| | - Oldřich Hovorka
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Flemingovo nám. 2, 166 10 Prague 6 (Czech Republic)
| | - Tomáš Kovalczuk
- LECO Corp., Applicat. Lab. Prague, Sokolovská 219, 190 00 Prague 9 (Czech Republic)
| | - Irena Valterová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Flemingovo nám. 2, 166 10 Prague 6 (Czech Republic)
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Brabcová J, Demianová Z, Kindl J, Pichová I, Valterová I, Zarevúcka M. Characterisation of Acetyl-CoA Thiolase: The First Enzyme in the Biosynthesis of Terpenic Sex Pheromone Components in the Labial Gland ofBombus terrestris. Chembiochem 2015; 16:1047-51. [DOI: 10.1002/cbic.201402591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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Haritos VS, Horne I, Damcevski K, Glover K, Gibb N. Unexpected functional diversity in the fatty acid desaturases of the flour beetle Tribolium castaneum and identification of key residues determining activity. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2014; 51:62-70. [PMID: 24880119 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2014.05.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2014] [Revised: 05/13/2014] [Accepted: 05/14/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
Desaturases catalyse modifications to fatty acids which are essential to homeostasis and for pheromone and defensive chemical production. All desaturases of the flour beetle Tribolium castaneum were investigated via query of the sequenced genome which yielded 15 putative acyl-Coenzyme A genes. Eleven desaturase mRNA were obtained in full length and functionally expressed in yeast. Phylogenetic analysis separated the desaturases into 4 distinct clades; one clade contained conserved beetle Δ9 desaturases, second clade was Tribolium-specific having diverse activities including Δ5, Δ9 and Δ12 desaturation and the other 2 clades had mixed insect representatives. Three members of this clade contained unusual inserted sequences of ∼20 residues in the C-terminal region and were related to desaturases that all contained similar inserts. Deletion of the entirety of the insert in the flour beetle Δ12 desaturase abolished its activity but this was partially restored by the reintroduction of two histidine residues, suggesting the histidine(s) are required for activity but the full length insert is not. Five new desaturase activities were discovered: Δ9 desaturation of C12:0-C16:0 substrates; two unprecedented Δ5 enzymes acting on C18:0 and C16:0; Δ9 activity exclusively on C16:0 and a further stearate Δ9 desaturase. qPCR analysis ruled out a role in sex pheromone synthesis for the Δ5 and Δ9/C16:0 desaturases. The flour beetle genome has underpinned an examination of all transcribed desaturases in the organism and revealed a diversity of novel and unusual activities, an improved understanding of the evolutionary relationships among insect desaturases and sequence determinants of activity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Irene Horne
- CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences, GPO Box 1700, Canberra, ACT, 2601 Australia
| | | | - Karen Glover
- CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences, GPO Box 1700, Canberra, ACT, 2601 Australia
| | - Nerida Gibb
- CSIRO Ecosystem Sciences, GPO Box 1700, Canberra, ACT, 2601 Australia
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Falcón T, Ferreira-Caliman MJ, Franco Nunes FM, Tanaka ED, do Nascimento FS, Gentile Bitondi MM. Exoskeleton formation in Apis mellifera: cuticular hydrocarbons profiles and expression of desaturase and elongase genes during pupal and adult development. INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2014; 50:68-81. [PMID: 24813723 DOI: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2014.04.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2014] [Revised: 04/23/2014] [Accepted: 04/25/2014] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) are abundant in the superficial cuticular layer (envelope) of insects where they play roles as structural, anti-desiccation and semiochemical compounds. Many studies have investigated the CHC composition in the adult insects. However, studies on the profiles of these compounds during cuticle formation and differentiation are scarce and restrict to specific stages of a few insect species. We characterized the CHCs developmental profiles in the honeybee workers during an entire molting cycle (from pupal-to-adult ecdyses) and in mature adults (forager bees). Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis revealed remarkable differences in the relative quantities of CHCs, thus discriminating pupae, developing and newly-ecdysed adults, and foragers from each other. In parallel, the honeybee genome database was searched for predicted gene models using known amino acid sequences of insect enzymes catalyzing lipid desaturation (desaturases) or elongation (elongases) as queries in BLASTP analysis. The expression levels of six desaturase genes and ten elongase genes potentially involved in CHC biosynthesis were determined by reverse transcription and real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) in the developing integument (cuticle and subjacent epidermis). Aiming to predict roles for these genes in CHC biosynthesis, the developmental profiles of CHCs and desaturase/elongase transcript levels were evaluated using Spearman correlation coefficient. This analysis pointed to differential roles for these gene products in the biosynthesis of certain CHC classes. Based on the assumption that homologous proteins may share a similar function, phylogenetic trees were reconstructed as an additional strategy to predict functions and evolutionary relationships of the honeybee desaturases and elongases. Together, these approaches highlighted the molecular complexity underlying the formation of the lesser known layer of the cuticular exoskeleton, the envelope.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiago Falcón
- Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes 3900, 14049-900 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Maria Juliana Ferreira-Caliman
- Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes 3900, 14040-901 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Francis Morais Franco Nunes
- Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde, Universidade Federal de São Carlos, Rod. Washington Luís, km 235, 13565-905 São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Erica Donato Tanaka
- Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes 3900, 14049-900 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Fábio Santos do Nascimento
- Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes 3900, 14040-901 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil
| | - Márcia Maria Gentile Bitondi
- Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Bandeirantes 3900, 14040-901 Ribeirão Preto, SP, Brazil.
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Sex pheromone biosynthetic pathways are conserved between moths and the butterfly Bicyclus anynana. Nat Commun 2014; 5:3957. [PMID: 24862548 PMCID: PMC4050330 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms4957] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2014] [Accepted: 04/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Although phylogenetically nested within the moths, butterflies have diverged extensively in a number of life history traits. Whereas moths rely greatly on chemical signals, visual advertisement is the hallmark of mate finding in butterflies. In the context of courtship, however, male chemical signals are widespread in both groups although they likely have multiple evolutionary origins. Here, we report that in males of the butterfly Bicyclus anynana, courtship scents are produced de novo via biosynthetic pathways shared with females of many moth species. We show that two of the pheromone components that play a major role in mate choice, namely the (Z)-9-tetradecenol and hexadecanal, are produced through the activity of a fatty acyl Δ11-desaturase and two specialized alcohol-forming fatty acyl reductases. Our study provides the first evidence of conservation and sharing of ancestral genetic modules for the production of FA-derived pheromones over a long evolutionary timeframe thereby reconciling mate communication in moths and butterflies. Little is known about the evolutionary origins of the genes involved in butterfly pheromone synthesis. Here, Liénard et al. show that the biosynthetic pathways involved in the production of male courtship scents of the butterfly, Bicyclus anynana, are shared with females of many moth species.
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Buček A, Matoušková P, Sychrová H, Pichová I, Hrušková-Heidingsfeldová O. Δ12-Fatty acid desaturase from Candida parapsilosis is a multifunctional desaturase producing a range of polyunsaturated and hydroxylated fatty acids. PLoS One 2014; 9:e93322. [PMID: 24681902 PMCID: PMC3969366 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0093322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2013] [Accepted: 03/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Numerous Δ12-, Δ15- and multifunctional membrane fatty acid desaturases (FADs) have been identified in fungi, revealing great variability in the enzymatic specificities of FADs involved in biosynthesis of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Here, we report gene isolation and characterization of novel Δ12/Δ15- and Δ15-FADs named CpFad2 and CpFad3, respectively, from the opportunistic pathogenic yeast Candida parapsilosis. Overexpression of CpFad3 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains supplemented with linoleic acid (Δ9,Δ12-18:2) and hexadecadienoic acid (Δ9,Δ12-16:2) leads to accumulation of Δ15-PUFAs, i.e., α-linolenic acid (Δ9,Δ12,Δ15-18:3) and hexadecatrienoic acid with an unusual terminal double bond (Δ9,Δ12,Δ15-16:3). CpFad2 produces a range of Δ12- and Δ15-PUFAs. The major products of CpFad2 are linoleic and hexadecadienoic acid (Δ9,Δ12-16:2), accompanied by α-linolenic acid and hexadecatrienoic acid (Δ9,Δ12,Δ15-16:3). Using GC/MS analysis of trimethylsilyl derivatives, we identified ricinoleic acid (12-hydroxy-9-octadecenoic acid) as an additional product of CpFad2. These results demonstrate that CpFAD2 is a multifunctional FAD and indicate that detailed analysis of fatty acid derivatives might uncover a range of enzymatic selectivities in other Δ12-FADs from budding yeasts (Ascomycota: Saccharomycotina).
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleš Buček
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Petra Matoušková
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Hana Sychrová
- Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Iva Pichová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
- * E-mail: (IP); (OHH)
| | - Olga Hrušková-Heidingsfeldová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, Czech Republic
- * E-mail: (IP); (OHH)
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Brabcová J, Prchalová D, Demianová Z, Bučánková A, Vogel H, Valterová I, Pichová I, Zarevúcka M. Characterization of neutral lipase BT-1 isolated from the labial gland of Bombus terrestris males. PLoS One 2013; 8:e80066. [PMID: 24260337 PMCID: PMC3832651 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0080066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2013] [Accepted: 10/08/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background In addition to their general role in the hydrolysis of storage lipids, bumblebee lipases can participate in the biosynthesis of fatty acids that serve as precursors of pheromones used for sexual communication. Results We studied the temporal dynamics of lipolytic activity in crude extracts from the cephalic part of Bombus terrestris labial glands. Extracts from 3-day-old males displayed the highest lipolytic activity. The highest lipase gene expression level was observed in freshly emerged bumblebees, and both gene expression and lipase activity were lower in bumblebees older than 3 days. Lipase was purified from labial glands, further characterized and named as BT-1. The B. terrestris orthologue shares 88% sequence identity with B. impatiens lipase HA. The molecular weight of B. terrestris lipase BT-1 was approximately 30 kDa, the pH optimum was 8.3, and the temperature optimum was 50°C. Lipase BT-1 showed a notable preference for C8-C10 p-nitrophenyl esters, with the highest activity toward p-nitrophenyl caprylate (C8). The Michaelis constant (Km) and maximum reaction rate (Vmax) for p-nitrophenyl laurate hydrolysis were Km = 0.0011 mM and Vmax = 0.15 U/mg. Conclusion This is the first report describing neutral lipase from the labial gland of B. terrestris. Our findings help increase understanding of its possible function in the labial gland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jana Brabcová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry AS CR, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Darina Prchalová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry AS CR, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Zuzana Demianová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry AS CR, Prague, Czech Republic
| | | | - Heiko Vogel
- Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany
| | - Irena Valterová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry AS CR, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Iva Pichová
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry AS CR, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Marie Zarevúcka
- Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry AS CR, Prague, Czech Republic
- * E-mail:
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