Identification of the pheromone biosynthesis genes from the sex pheromone gland transcriptome of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella

Abstract

The diamondback moth was estimated to increase costs to the global agricultural economy as the global area increase of Brassica vegetable crops and oilseed rape. Sex pheromones traps are outstanding tools available in Integrated Pest Management for many years and provides an effective approach for DBM population monitoring and control. The ratio of two major sex pheromone compounds shows geographical variations. However, the limitation of our information in the DBM pheromone biosynthesis dampens our understanding of the ratio diversity of pheromone compounds. Here, we constructed a transcriptomic library from the DBM pheromone gland and identified genes putatively involved in the fatty acid biosynthesis, pheromones functional group transfer, and β-oxidation enzymes. In addition, odorant binding protein, chemosensory protein and pheromone binding protein genes encoded in the pheromone gland transcriptome, suggest that female DBM moths may receive odors or pheromone compounds via their pheromone gland and ovipositor system. Tissue expression profiles further revealed that two ALR, three DES and one FAR5 genes were pheromone gland tissue biased, while some chemoreception genes expressed extensively in PG, pupa, antenna and legs tissues. Finally, the candidate genes from large-scale transcriptome information may be useful for characterizing a presumed biosynthetic pathway of the DBM sex pheromone.

Identification of putative Type-I sex pheromone biosynthesis-related genes expressed in the female pheromone gland of Streltzoviella insularis

“…Herein, we identified a single PBANR in the S. insularis PG transcriptome that is 84% identical to Mamestra brassicae PBANR isoform B (ARO85772.1) and is very low in abundance (0.56 FPKM; Table 2 and S1 Text). The number of PBANR-encoding genes in the S. insularis PG was in accordance with Plutella xylostella [25], Agrotis segetum [58], and Agrotis ipsilon [59]. In addition, previous studies identified three isoforms of PBANR in Ostrinia nubilalis [60] and Mamestra brassicae [61].…”

“…For instance, Δ9-desaturases have been divided into two groups: one with a substrate chain length preference of C16 >C18 (NPVE motif), and the other with a substrate chain length preference of C18 >C16 (KPSE motif) [22]. Subsequently, the unsaturated fatty acid is subjected to chain-shortening by β-oxidation, generating sex pheromone precursors of specific chain length [23], and the carbonyl carbon is modified to form an oxygenated functional group, such as an aldehyde, alcohol, or acetate ester, and these modifications involve some key biosynthesis enzymes; fatty acyl-CoA reductase (FAR) converts these acyl chains into fatty alcohols that act as actual sex pheromone components in various moths [24][25][26], but most fatty alcohols are either oxidized into the corresponding aldehyde by dehydrogenases [27][28] or esterified to form acetate esters by acetyltransferase (ATF) [29][30][31], resulting in the final functional groups.…”

Synthesis and bioactivity studies of sex pheromone analogs of the diamond back moth, Plutella xylostella

“…The target compound was obtained using column chromatography. (25)(26)(27)(28). These analogs were obtained from 1-hexadecanol (0.48 g, 2 mmol) or 1-hexadecanethiol (0.52 g, 2 mmol), 4-dimethylaminopyridine (0.01 g, 81.8 μmol), triethylamine (0.32 g, 3.2 mmol), and the corresponding anhydride using the synthetic method of 2.…”

“…Currently, most studies on sex pheromone analogs focus on their mechanism of action . As for P. xylostella , research mainly focuses on receptor protein and gene expression analysis for the synthesis and decomposition of sex pheromones . In this study, Z 11‐16: Ac and Hexadecyl acetate (16: Ac) were used as the parent structures and 23 sex pheromone analogs were designed and synthesized.…”

“…[18][19][20][21] As for P. xylostella, research mainly focuses on receptor protein and gene expression analysis for the synthesis and decomposition of sex pheromones. [22][23][24][25] In this study, Z11-16: Ac and Hexadecyl acetate (16: Ac) were used as the parent structures and 23 sex pheromone analogs were designed and synthesized. Lab experiments and field tests were both conducted to screen out analogs with good activity of interference with mating and establish a novel eco-friendly method to control P. xylostella.…”