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Insect Biochem Mol Biol

Title:		Pheromone biosynthetic pathways in the moths Helicoverpa zea and Helicoverpa assulta
Author(s):		Choi MY; Han KS; Boo KS; Jurenka RA;
Address:		"Department of Entomology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA 50011-3222, USA"
Journal Title:		Insect Biochem Mol Biol
Year:		2002
Volume:		32
Issue:		11
Page Number:		1353 - 1359
DOI:		10.1016/s0965-1748(02)00055-3
ISSN/ISBN:		0965-1748 (Print) 0965-1748 (Linking)
Abstract:		"Sex pheromones of many Lepidopteran species have relatively simple structures consisting of a hydrocarbon chain with a functional group and usually one to several double bonds. The sex pheromones are usually derived from fatty acids through a specific biosynthetic pathway. We investigated the incorporation of deuterium-labeled palmitic and stearic acid precursors into pheromone components of Helicoverpa zea and Helicoverpa assulta. The major pheromone component for H. zea is (Z)11-hexadecenal (Z11-16:Ald) while H. assulta utilizes (Z)9-hexadecenal (Z9-16:Ald). We found that H. zea uses palmitic acid to form Z11-16:Ald via delta 11 desaturation and reduction, but also requires stearic acid to biosynthesize the minor pheromone components Z9-16:Ald and Z7-16:Ald. The Z9-16:Ald is produced by delta 11 desaturation of stearic acid followed by one round of chain-shortening and reduction to the aldehyde. The Z7-16:Ald is produced by delta 9 desaturation of stearic acid followed by one round of chain-shortening and reduction to the aldehyde. H. assulta uses palmitic acid as a substrate to form Z9-16:Ald, Z11-16:Ald and 16:Ald. The amount of labeling indicated that the delta 9 desaturase is the major desaturase present in the pheromone gland cells of H. assulta; whereas, the delta 11 desaturase is the major desaturase in pheromone glands of H. zea. It also appears that H. assulta lacks chain-shortening enzymes since stearic acid did not label any of the 16-carbon aldehydes"
Keywords:		"Animals Deuterium Fatty Acids/metabolism Fatty Acids, Nonesterified/metabolism Female Moths/*metabolism Pheromones/*biosynthesis Radioisotope Dilution Technique Species Specificity;"
Notes:		"MedlineChoi, Man-Yeon Han, Kyeung Sik Boo, Kyung Saeng Jurenka, Russell A eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. England 2003/01/18 Insect Biochem Mol Biol. 2002 Nov; 32(11):1353-9. doi: 10.1016/s0965-1748(02)00055-3"