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Annu Rev Entomol

Title:		"Chemical Ecology, Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology of Insect Hydrocarbons"
Author(s):		Blomquist GJ; Ginzel MD;
Address:		"Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada 89557, USA; email: garyb@cabnr.unr.edu. Department of Entomology, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, USA; email: mginzel@purdue.edu. Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, USA"
Journal Title:		Annu Rev Entomol
Year:		2021
Volume:		66
Issue:
Page Number:		45 - 60
DOI:		10.1146/annurev-ento-031620-071754
ISSN/ISBN:		1545-4487 (Electronic) 0066-4170 (Linking)
Abstract:		"Insect cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) consist of complex mixtures of straight-chain alkanes and alkenes, and methyl-branched hydrocarbons. In addition to restricting water loss through the cuticle and preventing desiccation, they have secondarily evolved to serve a variety of functions in chemical communication and play critical roles as signals mediating the life histories of insects. In this review, we describe the physical properties of CHCs that allow for both waterproofing and signaling functions, summarize their roles as inter- and intraspecific chemical signals, and discuss the influences of diet and environment on CHC profiles. We also present advances in our understanding of hydrocarbon biosynthesis. Hydrocarbons are biosynthesized in oenocytes and transported to the cuticle by lipophorin proteins. Recent work on the synthesis of fatty acids and their ultimate reductive decarbonylation to hydrocarbons has taken advantage of powerful new tools of molecular biology, including genomics and RNA interference knockdown of specific genes, to provide new insights into the biosynthesis of hydrocarbons"
Keywords:		Animal Communication Animals Hydrocarbons/*chemistry/metabolism Insecta/*chemistry/physiology alcohol oxidase/aldehyde decarbonylase elongation fatty acid synthase fatty acyl-CoA reductase oenocytes semiochemicals stereochemistry;
Notes:		"MedlineBlomquist, Gary J Ginzel, Matthew D eng Review 2021/01/09 Annu Rev Entomol. 2021 Jan 7; 66:45-60. doi: 10.1146/annurev-ento-031620-071754"