title: Hydrocarbon biosynthesis in Triatoma infestans eggs.
abstract: Triatoma infestans eggs are shown to synthesize hydrocarbons. Radio-gas chromatography was used to demonstrate metabolism of [1-14C]propionate into precursor methyl-branched fatty acids and into methyl-branched hydrocarbons in T. infestans eggs. These reactions have not been demonstrated previously in insect eggs. An in vivo study showed that hydrocarbons are also transported to eggs by the hemolymph. Inhibition of hydrocarbon synthesis by sodium trichloroacetate (NaTCA) was correlated with reduced oviposition, reduced hatchability, and reduced insect survival. Scanning electron microscopy showed impoverishment of the eggs' epicuticular waxes following NaTCA treatment.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Investigaciones Bioquímicas de La Plata (INIBIOLP) CONICET-UNLP, Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Argentina.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Juárez
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006458:Hemolymph / Q000378:metabolism; D006838:Hydrocarbons / Q000378:metabolism*; D009928:Organ Specificity; D010063:Ovum / Q000378:metabolism*; D011422:Propionates / Q000378:metabolism*; D011865:Radioisotope Dilution Technique; D012867:Skin / Q000378:metabolism; D014224:Triatoma / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D005227:Fatty Acids; D006838:Hydrocarbons; D011422:Propionates; C029658:propionic acid