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Möllerke A, Stell M, Schlawis C, Trauer-Kizilelma U, Herrmann J, Leinaas HP, Scheu S, Schulz S. Identification of unique highly hetero-substituted benzenes as chemical weapons of springtails by a combination of trace analytical methods with DFT calculations and synthesis. Chem Sci 2024:d4sc03182b. [PMID: 39246360 PMCID: PMC11376146 DOI: 10.1039/d4sc03182b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2024] [Accepted: 08/25/2024] [Indexed: 09/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Springtails (Collembola) are important members of the soil mesofauna. They are small, often less than 1-2 mm in length. A typical escape response of most surface-living species is to jump, using their furca. However, some species also use chemical defence against predators. While the defence chemistry of higher insects has been well studied, reports from the basal Collembola are rare, linked to the difficulties in obtaining enough biomass. We herein report on the identification and repellent activity of compounds detected in Ceratophysella denticulata. Extracts with various solvents obtained from only 50 individuals were sufficient for analysis by GC/MS, GC/HR-MS, and GC/IR. The large number of candidate structures of the major components were then prioritised by DFT calculations of IR spectra. Finally, the total synthesis of the top candidates confirmed the structures of the three major compounds to be 4-methoxy-5-(methylthio)benzo-1,3-dioxolane, 5,6,7-trimethoxybenzo-1,3-oxathiolane, and 8-amino-5,6,7-trimethoxybenzo-1,3-oxathiolane, the latter being the first naturally occurring fully hetero-substituted benzene. These highly substituted benzenes have no precedence in nature and carry structural motifs rare in nature, such as the benzo-1,3-oxathiolane ring system or the occurrence of O-, N-, and S-substituents at the same benzene core. Another novel natural compound, 2-methyl-1H-imidazo[4,5-b]pyridine, is used by Hypogastrura viatica. 4-Methoxy-5-(methylthio)benzo-1,3-dioxolane showed significant activity in deterrence assays with the ant Lasius niger. The data indicate that the title compounds are used in the chemical defence of these springtails, thus adding a new compound class to the known antipredator defences of arthropods. The results underline the difference in defence chemistry between Collembola and insects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton Möllerke
- Technische Universität Braunschweig, Institute of Organic Chemistry Hagenring 30 38106 Braunschweig Germany
| | - Matthew Stell
- Technische Universität Braunschweig, Institute of Organic Chemistry Hagenring 30 38106 Braunschweig Germany
| | - Christian Schlawis
- Technische Universität Braunschweig, Institute of Organic Chemistry Hagenring 30 38106 Braunschweig Germany
| | - Ute Trauer-Kizilelma
- Umweltbundesamt Boetticherstraße 2 (Haus 19), Dahlemer Dreieck 14195 Berlin Germany
| | - Jennifer Herrmann
- Department of Microbial Natural Products, Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) Campus E8.1 66123 Saarbrücken Germany
| | - Hans Petter Leinaas
- Department of Bioscience, University of Oslo P. O. Box 1066 Blindern 0316 Oslo Norway
| | - Stefan Scheu
- University of Göttingen, JFB Institute of Zoology and Anthropology 37073 Göttingen Germany
- University of Göttingen, Centre of Biodiversity and Sustainable Land Use 37077 Göttingen Germany
| | - Stefan Schulz
- Technische Universität Braunschweig, Institute of Organic Chemistry Hagenring 30 38106 Braunschweig Germany
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Ehlers S, Blow R, Szczerbowski D, Jiggins C, Schulz S. Variation of Clasper Scent Gland Composition of Heliconius Butterflies from a Biodiversity Hotspot. Chembiochem 2023; 24:e202300537. [PMID: 37650217 DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202300537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 08/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Male Heliconius butterflies possess two pheromone emitting structures, wing androconia and abdominal clasper scent glands. The composition of the clasper scent gland of males of 17 Heliconius and Eueides species from an overlapping area in Ecuador, comprising three mimicry groups, was investigated by GC/MS. The chemical signal serves as an anti-aphrodisiac signal that is transferred from males to females during mating, indicating the mating status of the female to prevent them from harassment by other males. In addition, the odour may also serve in predator defence. There is potential for convergence driven by mimicry, although, such convergence might be detrimental for species recognition of the butterflies within the mimicry ring, making mating more difficult. More than 500 compounds were detected, consisting of volatile, semi-volatile or non-volatile compounds, including terpenes, fatty acid esters or aromatic compounds. Several novel esters were identified by GC/MS and GC/IR data, microderivatisation and synthesis, including butyl (Z)-3-dodecenoate and other (Z)-3-alkenoates, 3-oxohexyl citronellate and 5-methylhexa-3,5-dienyl (E)-2,3-dihydrofarnesoate. The secretions were found to be species specific, potentially allowing for species differentiation. Statistical analysis of the compounds showed differentiation by phylogenetic clade and species, but not by mimicry group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Ehlers
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Hagenring 30, 38106, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Rachel Blow
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Daiane Szczerbowski
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Hagenring 30, 38106, Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Chris Jiggins
- Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Stefan Schulz
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Hagenring 30, 38106, Braunschweig, Germany
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Luhmann N, West RG, Lafleur JP, Schmid S. Nanoelectromechanical Infrared Spectroscopy with In Situ Separation by Thermal Desorption: NEMS-IR-TD. ACS Sens 2023; 8:1462-1470. [PMID: 37067504 PMCID: PMC10152476 DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.2c02435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 04/18/2023]
Abstract
We present a novel method for the quantitative analysis of mixtures of semivolatile chemical compounds. For the first time, thermal desorption is integrated directly with nanoelectromechanical infrared spectroscopy (NEMS-IR-TD). In this new technique, an analyte mixture is deposited via nebulization on the surface of a NEMS sensor and subsequently desorbed using heating under vacuum. The desorption process is monitored in situ via infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. The resulting spectro-temporal maps allow for selective identification and analysis of the mixture. In addition, the corresponding thermogravimetric data allow for analysis of the desorption dynamics of the mixture components. As a demonstration, caffeine and theobromine were selectively identified and quantified from a mixture with a detection limit of less than 6 pg (about 30 fmol). With its exceptional sensitivity, NEMS-IR-TD allows for the analysis of low abundance and complex analytes with potential applications ranging from environmental sensing to life sciences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niklas Luhmann
- Institute
of Sensor and Actuator Systems, TU Wien, Gusshausstrasse 27-29, 1040 Vienna, Austria
| | - Robert G. West
- Institute
of Sensor and Actuator Systems, TU Wien, Gusshausstrasse 27-29, 1040 Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Silvan Schmid
- Institute
of Sensor and Actuator Systems, TU Wien, Gusshausstrasse 27-29, 1040 Vienna, Austria
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Aslani S, Armstrong DW. High Information Spectroscopic Detection Techniques for Gas Chromatography. J Chromatogr A 2022; 1676:463255. [DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2022.463255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
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Srivastava N, Sarethy IP, Jeevanandam J, Danquah M. Emerging strategies for microbial screening of novel chemotherapeutics. J Mol Struct 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.molstruc.2022.132419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Mann F, Szczerbowski D, de Silva L, McClure M, Elias M, Schulz S. 3-Acetoxy-fatty acid isoprenyl esters from androconia of the ithomiine butterfly Ithomia salapia. Beilstein J Org Chem 2020; 16:2776-2787. [PMID: 33281981 PMCID: PMC7684689 DOI: 10.3762/bjoc.16.228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 10/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Male ithomiine butterflies (Nymphalidae: Danainae) have hairpencils on the forewings (i.e., androconia) that disseminate semiochemicals during courtship. While most ithomiines are known to contain derivatives of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, dihydropyrrolizines, or γ-lactones in these androconia, here we report on a new class of fatty acid esters identified in two subspecies, Ithomia salapia aquinia and I. s. derasa. The major components were identified as isoprenyl (3-methyl-3-butenyl) (Z)-3-acetoxy-11-octadecenoate, isoprenyl (Z)-3-acetoxy-13-octadecenoate (12) and isoprenyl 3-acetoxyoctadecanoate (11) by GC/MS and GC/IR analyses, microderivatizations, and synthesis of representative compounds. The absolute configuration of 12 was determined to be R. The two subspecies differed not only in the composition of the ester bouquet, but also in the composition of more volatile androconial constituents. While some individuals of I. s. aquinia contained ithomiolide A (3), a pyrrolizidine alkaloid derived γ-lactone, I. s. derasa carried the sesquiterpene α-elemol (8) in the androconia. These differences might be important for the reproductive isolation of the two subspecies, in line with previously reported low gene exchange between the two species in regions where they co-occur. Furthermore, the occurrence of positional isomers of unsaturated fatty acid derivatives indicates activity of two different desaturases within these butterflies, Δ9 and Δ11, which has not been reported before in male Lepidoptera.
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Affiliation(s)
- Florian Mann
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Hagenring 30, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Daiane Szczerbowski
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Hagenring 30, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
| | - Lisa de Silva
- Institut de Systématique Evolution Biodiversité, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, MNHN, Sorbonne Université, EPHE, Université des Antilles, 45 rue Buffon, CP 50, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Melanie McClure
- Institut de Systématique Evolution Biodiversité, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, MNHN, Sorbonne Université, EPHE, Université des Antilles, 45 rue Buffon, CP 50, 75005 Paris, France.,Laboratoire Écologie, Évolution, Interactions des Systèmes Amazoniens (LEEISA), Université de Guyane, CNRS, IFREMER, 97300 Cayenne, France
| | - Marianne Elias
- Institut de Systématique Evolution Biodiversité, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, MNHN, Sorbonne Université, EPHE, Université des Antilles, 45 rue Buffon, CP 50, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Stefan Schulz
- Institute of Organic Chemistry, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Hagenring 30, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
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Ando T, Yamamoto M. Semiochemicals containing lepidopteran sex pheromones: Wonderland for a natural product chemist. JOURNAL OF PESTICIDE SCIENCE 2020; 45:191-205. [PMID: 33304188 PMCID: PMC7691580 DOI: 10.1584/jpestics.d20-046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/30/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Since the first identification of bombykol, sex pheromones of about 700 moth species have been elucidated. Additionally, field evaluations of synthetic pheromones and their related compounds have revealed the male attraction of another 1,300 species. These pheromones and attractants are listed on the web-sites, "Pheromone Database, Part I." Pheromone components are classified according to their chemical structures into two major groups (Types I and II) and miscellaneous. Based on our previous review published in 2004, studies reported during the last two decades are highlighted here to provide information on the structure characteristics of newly identified pheromones, current techniques for structure determination, new enantioselective syntheses of methyl-branched pheromones, and the progress of biosynthetic research. Besides the moth sex pheromones, various pheromones and allomones from many arthropod species have been uncovered. These semiochemicals are being collected in the "Pheromone Database, Part II." The chemical diversity provides a wonderland for natural product chemists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tetsu Ando
- Graduate School of Bio-Applications and Systems Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
| | - Masanobu Yamamoto
- Graduate School of Bio-Applications and Systems Engineering, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
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