| Project: | Biosynthesis of components of marking pheromones of the bumblebee males: A study of enzymatically controlled esterification and desaturation processes |
|---|
| |
| Research institute: | Faculty of Science MU Brno, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry ASCR |
|---|
| |
| Description: |
|---|
| The grant proposal is a continuation of the project "Chemical signals of bumblebees: Identification of components, their biological activity and biosynthesis" that was supported by the Grant Agency of the Czech Republic during 1998-2000. We propose to study biosynthetic pathways leading to the formation of components of the males' marking pheromones in bumblebees. This pheromone is secreted by the cephalic part of the males' labial gland. We will focus on the components that are close to the metabolis of fatty acids and their esters. Deuterated precursors - fatty acids with different chain length - will be applied and their metabolism in the bumblebee's body will be followed using GC-MS techniques. Our preliminary results indicate that labelled precursors are incorporated into the males' fat body where they are stored and later used for the biosynthesis of pheromone. |
