title: De novo biosynthesis of sexual pheromone in the labial gland of bumblebee males.
abstract: De novo biosynthesis of male sex pheromone from two bumblebee species (Bombus terrestris and Bombus lucorum) was studied by using in vitro incubations of labial glands (LGs) with radioactive [1,2-(14)C]acetate and deuterated [D(3)]acetate. The labeled substrate was incorporated into several types of compounds, such as terpenic alcohols, fatty acids, esters, and hydrocarbons. A similar incubation of [1,2-(14)C]acetate with fat bodies (FB) led to the formation of fatty acids, triacylglycerols (TAG), and hydrocarbons. To support the results from in vitro incubations, PCR analysis of fatty acid synthase (FAS) transcripts in LG and FB was performed. Relative quantification of FAS transcription levels revealed that the abundance of mRNA from the FAS gene is a function of the age of B. terrestris males. A comparison of the relative FAS mRNA gene transcription level in FB and LGs of B. terrestris and B. lucorum males proved that high biosynthetic activity takes place in the LGs of both species. Together, these results indicate that pheromone components are synthesized de novo in the LG.
authors: Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Flemingovo nám. 2, 166 10 Prague 6, Czech Republic.
authors: Petr
authors: P
authors: Žáček
authors: Darina
authors: D
authors: Prchalová-Horňáková
authors: Richard
authors: R
authors: Tykva
authors: Jiří
authors: J
authors: Kindl
authors: Heiko
authors: H
authors: Vogel
authors: Aleš
authors: A
authors: Svatoš
authors: Iva
authors: I
authors: Pichová
authors: Irena
authors: I
authors: Valterová
mesh_terms: D019342:Acetic Acid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001516:Bees / Q000378:metabolism*; D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes / Q000737:chemistry; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D003903:Deuterium / Q000737:chemistry; D005216:Fat Body / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D064429:Fatty Acid Synthases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D013058:Mass Spectrometry; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012470:Salivary Glands, Minor / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism; D012724:Sex Attractants / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes; D005227:Fatty Acids; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012724:Sex Attractants; D003903:Deuterium; D064429:Fatty Acid Synthases; D019342:Acetic Acid