Biosynthesis of Methylketones and 2-Alkany l Acetates

这项研究将确定果蝇合成中等链长甲基酮和2-烷基乙酸酯的最佳条件、活性亚细胞组分(S)以及链缩短途径的延长是否与生物合成有关。使用一系列放射性标记和重原子标记的特定饱和和不饱和假定前体来确定通路中分支点的关键酶的特异性。存在这样一种可能性，即在研究过程中确定了生物合成途径中的中间产物，从而为该途径提供了更多的细节。这些结果对于后续分离和进一步鉴定参与这些甲基酮和2-烷基乙酸酯生物合成的独特步骤所涉及的酶是至关重要的。对该途径中的每一种酶进行适当的分析将有助于研究其他昆虫和植物中潜在的保守途径，潜在的调节，分子生物学和随后的中链长度甲基酮和2-烷基乙酸酯生物合成的遗传分析。这项研究将阐明昆虫信息素和异构体的合成途径中的步骤，这两种化合物在昆虫通讯中至关重要。四种果蝇将被用作模型系统。事实证明，这些通信化合物在病虫害综合治理中很有用。了解它们的合成可能会导致开发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.