Fatty Acids from Pool Lipids as Possible Precursors of the Male Marking Pheromone in Bumblebees

Triacylglycerols (TGs) stored in the fat bodies of bumblebee males have a species-specific composition. The striking structural similarities between TG fatty acids (FAs) and components of the male marking pheromone in certain species led to the hypothesis that FAs may serve as precursors in pheromon...

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Main Authors: Edita Kofroňová, Adam Nekola, Josef Cvačka, Jiří Kindl, Irena Valterová
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2014-02-01
Series:Molecules
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/19/2/2330
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author Edita Kofroňová
Adam Nekola
Josef Cvačka
Jiří Kindl
Irena Valterová
author_facet Edita Kofroňová
Adam Nekola
Josef Cvačka
Jiří Kindl
Irena Valterová
author_sort Edita Kofroňová
collection DOAJ
description Triacylglycerols (TGs) stored in the fat bodies of bumblebee males have a species-specific composition. The striking structural similarities between TG fatty acids (FAs) and components of the male marking pheromone in certain species led to the hypothesis that FAs may serve as precursors in pheromone biosynthesis. Here, we analysed TGs from B. ruderatus, B. bohemicus, and B. campestris. Nonadec-9-ene and icos-15-en-1-ol are the main components of B. ruderatus labial gland secretion, forming up to 92% of the gland extract. The corresponding icos-11-enic and icos-15-enic acids were found in TGs at levels higher than usual for bumblebee species. We found similar relationships in B. campestris and B. bohemicus. These results suggest that FAs might be precursors of aliphatic compounds in the male pheromones. Furthermore, we report for the first time the pheromone structure of B. ruderatus males.
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spelling doaj.art-6c44a352f10f422388a7aa038d96e3a12022-12-22T02:43:30ZengMDPI AGMolecules1420-30492014-02-011922330234310.3390/molecules19022330molecules19022330Fatty Acids from Pool Lipids as Possible Precursors of the Male Marking Pheromone in BumblebeesEdita Kofroňová0Adam Nekola1Josef Cvačka2Jiří Kindl3Irena Valterová4Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Flemingovo nám. 2, Prague 166 10, Czech RepublicInstitute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Flemingovo nám. 2, Prague 166 10, Czech RepublicInstitute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Flemingovo nám. 2, Prague 166 10, Czech RepublicInstitute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Flemingovo nám. 2, Prague 166 10, Czech RepublicInstitute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Flemingovo nám. 2, Prague 166 10, Czech RepublicTriacylglycerols (TGs) stored in the fat bodies of bumblebee males have a species-specific composition. The striking structural similarities between TG fatty acids (FAs) and components of the male marking pheromone in certain species led to the hypothesis that FAs may serve as precursors in pheromone biosynthesis. Here, we analysed TGs from B. ruderatus, B. bohemicus, and B. campestris. Nonadec-9-ene and icos-15-en-1-ol are the main components of B. ruderatus labial gland secretion, forming up to 92% of the gland extract. The corresponding icos-11-enic and icos-15-enic acids were found in TGs at levels higher than usual for bumblebee species. We found similar relationships in B. campestris and B. bohemicus. These results suggest that FAs might be precursors of aliphatic compounds in the male pheromones. Furthermore, we report for the first time the pheromone structure of B. ruderatus males.http://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/19/2/2330Bombus ruderatusBombus campestrisBombus bohemicusfat bodylabial gland secretionpheromone biosynthesis
spellingShingle Edita Kofroňová
Adam Nekola
Josef Cvačka
Jiří Kindl
Irena Valterová
Fatty Acids from Pool Lipids as Possible Precursors of the Male Marking Pheromone in Bumblebees
Molecules
Bombus ruderatus
Bombus campestris
Bombus bohemicus
fat body
labial gland secretion
pheromone biosynthesis
title Fatty Acids from Pool Lipids as Possible Precursors of the Male Marking Pheromone in Bumblebees
title_full Fatty Acids from Pool Lipids as Possible Precursors of the Male Marking Pheromone in Bumblebees
title_fullStr Fatty Acids from Pool Lipids as Possible Precursors of the Male Marking Pheromone in Bumblebees
title_full_unstemmed Fatty Acids from Pool Lipids as Possible Precursors of the Male Marking Pheromone in Bumblebees
title_short Fatty Acids from Pool Lipids as Possible Precursors of the Male Marking Pheromone in Bumblebees
title_sort fatty acids from pool lipids as possible precursors of the male marking pheromone in bumblebees
topic Bombus ruderatus
Bombus campestris
Bombus bohemicus
fat body
labial gland secretion
pheromone biosynthesis
url http://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/19/2/2330
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