Summary
Biosynthesis of cantharidin in a blister beetle,Lytta polita, is effectively inhibited by 6-fluoromevalonate. Inhibition is attributed specifically to the fluorine substituent. Biochemical inhibition has not been demonstrated previously for an arthropod's defensive substance.
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This study supported by Grant AM 31186 and by the University of Missouri Institutional Biomedical Research Support Grant RR 07053, both from the National Institutes of Health. We thank K. Smith, A. Slagle, J. Pershing, D. O'Bannon, J. Hewett, and M. Deyrup for providing technical assistance; A. Eisenstark, H. C. Gerhardt, and J. Weaver for reading the manuscript and offering valuable suggestions; and the Archbold Biological Station for providing research facilities.
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Carrel, J.E., Doom, J.P. & McCormick, J.P. Cantharidin biosynthesis in a blister beetle: Inhibition by 6-fluoromevalonate causes chemical disarmament. Experientia 42, 853–854 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01941552
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01941552