| Title: | Functional characterization of CYP4G11-a highly conserved enzyme in the western honey bee Apis mellifera |
| Author(s): | Calla B; MacLean M; Liao LH; Dhanjal I; Tittiger C; Blomquist GJ; Berenbaum MR; |
| Address: | "Department of Entomology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL, USA. Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Nevada, Reno, NV, USA" |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 1365-2583 (Electronic) 0962-1075 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "Determining the functionality of CYP4G11, the only CYP4G in the genome of the western honey bee Apis mellifera, can provide insight into its reduced CYP4 inventory. Toward this objective, CYP4G11 transcripts were quantified, and CYP4G11 was expressed as a fusion protein with housefly CPR in Sf9 cells. Transcript levels varied with age, task, and tissue type in a manner consistent with the need for cuticular hydrocarbon production to prevent desiccation or with comb wax production. Young larvae, with minimal need for desiccation protection, expressed CYP4G11 at very low levels. Higher levels were observed in nurses, and even higher levels in wax producers and foragers, the latter of which risk desiccation upon leaving the hive. Recombinant CYP4G11 readily converted octadecanal to n-heptadecane in a time-dependent manner, demonstrating its functions as an oxidative decarbonylase. CYP4G11 expression levels are high in antennae; heterologously expressed CYP4G11 converted tetradecanal to n-tridecane, demonstrating that it metabolizes shorter-chain aldehydes. Together, these findings confirm the involvement of CYP4G11 in cuticular hydrocarbon production and suggest a possible role in clearing pheromonal and phytochemical compounds from antennae. This possible dual functionality of CYP4G11, i.e., cuticular hydrocarbon and comb wax production and antennal odorant clearance, may explain how honey bees function with a reduced CYP4G inventory" |
| Keywords: | Animals Arthropod Antennae/metabolism Bees/*enzymology/genetics/growth & development Cytochrome P450 Family 4/genetics/*metabolism Insect Proteins/genetics/metabolism Larva/enzymology Phylogeny Recombinant Fusion Proteins Sf9 Cells Waxes/metabolism Apoide; |
| Notes: | "MedlineCalla, B MacLean, M Liao, L-H Dhanjal, I Tittiger, C Blomquist, G J Berenbaum, M R eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. England 2018/06/14 Insect Mol Biol. 2018 Oct; 27(5):661-674. doi: 10.1111/imb.12516. Epub 2018 Jul 31" |
