title: Sex Pheromone Biosynthesis in Trichoplusia ni: Key Steps Involve Delta-11 Desaturation and Chain-Shortening.
abstract: In addition to the primary pheromone component (Z)-7-dodecenyl acetate, the sex pheromone gland of Trichoplusia ni contains the immediate fatty acyl precursor (Z)-7-dodecenoate and a large quantity of (Z)-11-hexadecenoate. Labeling experiments showed that (Z)-11-hexadecenoate is chain-shortened to (Z)-9-tetradecenoate, and that this in turn is chain-shortened to (Z)-7-dodecenoate. The same mechanism appears to explain the sex pheromone compositions of many other moth species.
authors.forename: L B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: Bjostad
authors.forename: W L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Roelofs