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Insect Biochem Mol Biol

Title:		In vitro assay for sex pheromone biosynthesis by the female yellow mealworm beetle and identification of a regulated step
Author(s):		Mangat J; Langedock C; Vanderwel D;
Address:		"Department of Biochemistry and Human Genetics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Mannitoba, Canada R3E 0W3"
Journal Title:		Insect Biochem Mol Biol
Year:		2006
Volume:		20060228
Issue:		5
Page Number:		403 - 409
DOI:		10.1016/j.ibmb.2006.02.003
ISSN/ISBN:		0965-1748 (Print) 0965-1748 (Linking)
Abstract:		"Several pheromones are known to be involved in mediating the mating behavior of the yellow mealworm beetle, Tenebrio molitor (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae). The only sex pheromone that has been identified to date in this species is the female-produced male attractant, 4-methylnonanol (MNol). The objective of this study was to develop an in vitro assay for the last biosynthetic step involved in MNol biosynthesis, the reduction of 4-methylnonanoic acid (MNA) to the corresponding pheromone product. In vitro assays were conducted by adding appropriate cofactors and radioactively labelled precursor. Radioactive pheromone product was separated from the radioactive precursor by column chromatography, and quantified through scintillation counting. The conversion of MNA to MNol was observed, and was comparable to that observed in vivo using the same radiolabelled substrate. In both the in vivo and in vitro assays, the (3)H-MNA was also converted to a nonpolar product, tentatively identified as a triacylglyerol (TAG) derivative. The reduction of (3)H-MNA to pheromone proceeded through the coenzyme A intermediate. Mature females reduced significantly more precursor to pheromone than the immature females and the males, both in vivo and in vitro, indicating that the reduction of MNA to MNol is a regulated step involved in pheromone production. Using the in vitro assay reported herein, studies are ongoing in our lab to purify and characterize the enzyme catalyzing the reduction"
Keywords:		"Allosteric Regulation Animals Female Male Sex Attractants/*biosynthesis/isolation & purification Sexual Behavior, Animal/physiology Tenebrio/enzymology/growth & development/*metabolism;"
Notes:		"MedlineMangat, Jaswinder Langedock, Colin Vanderwel, Desiree eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't England 2006/05/03 Insect Biochem Mol Biol. 2006 May; 36(5):403-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ibmb.2006.02.003. Epub 2006 Feb 28"