Role of Enhancer of zeste on the production of Drosophila melanogaster pheromonal hydrocarbons.
In a search for genes controlling the production of Drosophila melanogaster contact pheromones, the gene Enhancer of zeste [E(z)] was found to be one player. Flies mutant for either the amorphic or the antimorphic allele of E(z) showed a similar hydrocarbon phenotype as those with the overlapping Df lxd(15) deficiency: decreased amounts of total hydrocarbons and especially unsaturated ones in both sexes. The decrease in the level of D. melanogaster female sex pheromone 7,11-heptacosadiene was dramatic and was correlated with an increase in 7-heptacosene. Females mutant for a gain-of-function allele had increased amounts of total hydrocarbons with wild-type proportions of dienes. Thus the E(z) gene seems to affect hydrocarbon biosynthesis, especially its desaturation steps and even more so the female-specific desaturation step transforming 7-monoenic fatty acids to 7,11-dienic ones and leading to female pheromones.
Wicker-Thomas
C
C
Université Paris-Sud, UMR8620, NAMC, Bât. 446, F-91405 Orsay Cédex, France. claude.wicker@ibaic.u-psud.fr
Jallon
J
J
D000818:Animals; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006838:Hydrocarbons / Q000378:metabolism; D019476:Insect Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D010641:Phenotype; D010675:Pheromones / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D063151:Polycomb Repressive Complex 2; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*
D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D006838:Hydrocarbons; D019476:Insect Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D010675:Pheromones; D012097:Repressor Proteins; C083329:E(z) protein, Drosophila; D063151:Polycomb Repressive Complex 2