Biosynthesis of Methylketones and 2-Alkany l Acetates

本研究将确定最佳条件， 亚细胞部分，以及是否和链的延伸- 缩短途径负责中链的生物合成， 长度的甲基酮和2-烷基乙酸酯。 的 关键酶在途径中分支点的特异性是 使用一系列放射性标记和重原子标记的 特定的饱和和不饱和推定前体。 的 生物合成途径中的中间体 在调查过程中发现， 道路。 这些结果对后续的隔离至关重要， 进一步表征参与独特的 这些甲基酮和2-烷基酮的生物合成步骤 乙酸盐。 对途径中每种酶的适当测定将 允许研究其他可能保守的途径 昆虫和植物，潜在调控，分子生物学， 随后对中链长度甲基酮进行遗传分析， 2-乙酸烷酯生物合成。 %%% 这项研究将阐明合成途径中的步骤 昆虫信息素和异源激素是昆虫体内重要化合物， 通讯 四种果蝇将被用作模型 系统. 这些通信化合物已被证明可用于 害虫综合治理。 了解它们的合成可能会导致 发展更多的昆虫控制策略。

This research will determine the optimal conditions, the active subcellular fraction(s), and whether and elongation of chain- shortening pathway is responsible for biosynthesis of medium chain- length methylketones and 2-alkanyl acetates in Drosophila. The specificity of key enzymes at branch points in the pathways are determined using a series of radiolabeled and heavy-atom labeled specific saturated and unsaturated putative precursors. The possibility exists that intermediates in the biosynthesis pathway are identified during the investigation giving additional detail to the pathway. The results are critical to subsequent isolation and further characterization of the enzymes involved in the unique steps of biosynthesis of these methylketones and 2-alkanyl acetates. Appropriate assays for each enzyme in the pathway will allow for investigations of potentially conserved pathways in other insects and plants, potential regulation, molecular biology and subsequent genetic analysis of medium chain-length methylketone and 2-alkanyl acetate biosynthesis. %%% This research will elucidate steps in the synthetic pathways of insect pheromones and allomones, compounds that are vital in insect communications. Four species of fruit flies will be used as model systems. These communication compounds have proven useful in integrated pest management. Understanding their synthesis may lead to the development of additional insect control strategies.