Biosynthesis of sex pheromone components and glycerolipid precursors from sodium [1-¹⁴C]acetate in redbanded leafroller moth

Abstract

Sodium [1-¹⁴C]acetate in water-dimethyl sulfoxide (1∶1) was applied topically to sex pheromone glands ofArgyrolaenia velutinana. Radiolabel was incorporated into the pheromone components (Z)-11-tetradecenyl acetate and (E)-11-tetradecenyl acetate, and also into triacylglycerols, diacylglycerols, ethanolamine phosphatides, and choline phosphatides. In the triacylglycerols, radiolabel appeared in (Z)-11-tetradecenoate, (E)-11-tetradecenoate, tetradecanoate, hexadecanoate, and octadecanoate. In the choline phosphatides, the same acyl moieties incorporated radiolabel but at lower levels. In the diacylglycerols and ethanolamine phosphatides, only the radiolabel in hexadecanoate and octadecanoate was above the limit of detection. At different times following application of sodium [1-¹⁴C]acetate, the relative proportions of labeled (Z)-11-tetradecenyl acetate and (E)-11-tetradecenyl acetate changed very little, but the relative proportions of labeled fatty acyl moieties in the triacylglycerols and choline phosphatides changed markedly. After 8 min, triacylglycerols had incorporated about equal amounts of radiolabel into (Z)-11-tetradecenoate, (E)-11-tetradecenoate, and tetradecanoate. As the incubation time was increased, triacylglycerols accumulated proportionately more radiolabeled (E)-11-tetradecenoate than (Z)-11-tetradecenoate, and accumulated proportionately less radiolabeled tetradecanoate. In the choline phosphatides, at all times of incubation the amount of radiolabel incorporated into (Z)-11-tetradecenoate was small but above the limit of detection, and the amounts of radiolabel in (E)-11-tetradecenoate and tetradecanoate were smaller and often below the limit of detection. In both the triacylglycerols and the choline phosphatides, the relative proportion of radiolabeled hexadecanoate decreased with time, and that of octadecanoate increased.