Lipids of bumblebees and their role in the biosynthesis of pheromonal components
Project goals
Storage, mobilisation, transport, and metabolism of lipids in different bumblebee species will be studied in connection with the biosynthesis of aliphatic components of the male marking pheromone. Composition of lipids in different species will be determined. Storage form of lipids in the fat body [triacylglycerols, diacylglycerols (DAG), free fatty acids (FA), and phospholipids] will be analysed as well as the transport form (DAG in the hemolymph). Similarities in the pattern of FA in lipids and in lipidic pheromonal components were observed in some species, indicating that males may use lipids as starting material for pheromonal biosynthesis. To understand the biochemistry of pheromone formation, labelled FA of different chain length will be incubated in vitro and in vivo. Shortening or elongation of the carbon chain as well as the desaturation will be studied. Results of the project are expected to decipher biosynthetic pathways in which pheromonal components are formed.
Keywords
lipidslipophorinfat bodydesaturasebumblebeeslabial glandmarking pheromonebiosynthesis
Public support
Provider
Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic
Programme
Grants of distinctly investigative character focused on the sphere of research pursued at present particularly in the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic
Call for proposals
Výzkumné granty 4 (SAV02004-A)
Main participants
—
Contest type
VS - Public tender
Contract ID
IAA4055403
Alternative language
Project name in Czech
Lipidy u čmeláků a jejich úloha v biosyntéze složek feromonů
Annotation in Czech
U různých druhů čmeláků budeme studovat skladování, mobilizaci, transport a metabolismus lipidů v souvislosti s biosyntézou lipidických složek samčího značkovacího feromonu. Bude určeno složení lipidů u různých druhů z hlediska obsahu mastných kyselin. Budou analyzovány jednak zásobní tuky v tukovém tělese (triacylglyceroly, diacylglyceroly, monoacylglyceroly, volné kyseliny a fosfolipidy) a transportní forma tuků (diacylglyceroly v hemolymfě). Podobnosti složení mastných kyselin lipidů a lipidických složek feromonu naznačují, že zásobní tuky jsou používány jako stavební kameny pro biosyntézu feromonů. Pro studium biosyntetických drah vedoucích k tvorbě feromonu budeme inkubovat značené mastné kyseliny in vivo ani in vitro s labiální žlázou či tukovýmtělesem. Sledování metabolitů aplikovaných kyselin, zkrácení či prodloužení řetězce a jeho desaturace povede k pochopení regulace tvorby feromonu.
Scientific branches
R&D category
ZV - Basic research
CEP classification - main branch
CC - Organic chemistry
CEP - secondary branch
CB - Analytical chemistry, separation
CEP - another secondary branch
EG - Zoology
10401 - Organic chemistry
10406 - Analytical chemistry
10613 - Zoology
10614 - Behavioral sciences biology
10615 - Ornithology
10616 - Entomology
Completed project evaluation
Provider evaluation
V - Vynikající výsledky projektu (s mezinárodním významem atd.)
Project results evaluation
Composition of triglycerides in the bumblebee fat body is species-specific and often similar to marking pheromone. In vivo and in vitro incubations of labelled fatty acids led to the pheromone formation. A participating desaturase was characterized.
Solution timeline
Realization period - beginning
Jan 1, 2004
Realization period - end
Dec 31, 2008
Project status
U - Finished project
Latest support payment
Feb 21, 2008
Data delivery to CEP
Confidentiality
S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů
Data delivery code
CEP09-AV0-IA-U/01:1
Data delivery date
Jul 2, 2009
Finance
Total approved costs
2,650 thou. CZK
Public financial support
2,650 thou. CZK
Other public sources
0 thou. CZK
Non public and foreign sources
0 thou. CZK
Basic information
Recognised costs
2 650 CZK thou.
Public support
2 650 CZK thou.
100%
Provider
Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic
CEP
CC - Organic chemistry
Solution period
01. 01. 2004 - 31. 12. 2008