title: Oxaspiropentane derivatives as effective sex pheromone analogues in the gypsy moth: electrophysiological and behavioral evidence.
abstract: A number of oxaspiropentane derivatives (OXPs) were tested as potential (+)-disparlure analogues, with the aim of identifying any possible interaction of these compounds, be it additive, synergetic, or inhibitory, with the pheromone response in the male gypsy moth Lymantria dispar. As assessed by male electroantennograms, 2 OXPs, 2-decyl-1-oxaspiro[2.2]pentane (OXP-01) and 4-(1-oxaspiro[2.2]pent-2-yl)butan-1-ol (OXP-04), were found to be effective. OXP-01 had no stimulatory effect but strongly decreased the response to (+)-disparlure in a blend in a 1:1 ratio. By contrast, OXP-04 proved to be more stimulating than (+)-disparlure and also had an additive effect in the blend. Single-cell recordings from the sensilla trichoidea showed the activity of 2 cells, one of which responded to (+)-disparlure. OXP-01 reduced the stimulating effectiveness of pheromone by silencing the pheromone-responding unit when the 2 compounds were presented in blend, whereas OXP-04 mimicked the pheromone response, evidenced by exciting the pheromone-responding neuron when tested alone. Behavioral observations are in agreement with electrophysiological results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Biology, Section of General Physiology, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, SS 554 Km 4.5, Monserrato, Cagliari 09042, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Solari
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Crnjar
authors.forename: Angelo
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Frongia
authors.forename: Giorgia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sollai
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Secci
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Spiga
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Masala
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Liscia
mesh_terms: D000388:Air; D000818:Animals; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004594:Electrophysiology / Q000379:methods*; D004852:Epoxy Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008956:Models, Chemical; D009036:Moths; D009812:Odorants; D010675:Pheromones; D012724:Sex Attractants / Q000378:metabolism*; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal; D013141:Spiro Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D004852:Epoxy Compounds; D010675:Pheromones; D012724:Sex Attractants; D013141:Spiro Compounds; C071537:spiropentaneacetic acid