Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 26, 2026
09:32
Direct Imaging of ER Calcium with Targeted-Esterase Induced Dye Loading TED
Published on: May 7, 2013
19.6K
Derived esterase activity in Drosophila sechellia contributes to evolved octanoic acid resistance
1Department of Biology, Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT, USA.
Insect Molecular Biology
|April 13, 2019
Summary
Drosophila sechellia fruit flies resist toxic Morinda citrifolia fruit compounds. Esterase gene family inhibition suggests esterases contribute to this evolved octanoic acid (OA) resistance.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Toxicology
- Genetics
Background:
- Drosophila sechellia is a fruit fly species specialized on Morinda citrifolia.
- Morinda citrifolia fruit contains toxic medium-chain fatty acids, primarily octanoic acid (OA) and hexanoic acid.
- D. sechellia has evolved resistance to these toxins, with at least five genomic regions contributing to this adaptation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the genetic basis of evolved octanoic acid (OA) resistance in Drosophila sechellia.
- To investigate the roles of glutathione-S-transferases and esterases in detoxification of Morinda fruit toxins.
Main Methods:
- Utilized pesticide synergists diethyl maleate and tribufos to inhibit glutathione-S-transferase and esterase gene families.
- Assessed the impact of these inhibitors on D. sechellia's resistance to Morinda fruit toxins, specifically octanoic acid.
Main Results:
- Previous studies ruled out cytochrome P450s as the primary mechanism for OA resistance.
- Inhibition of esterases using specific synergists suggests their involvement in evolved OA resistance.
- The role of glutathione-S-transferases in this resistance remains less clear.
Conclusions:
- Esterase gene family members likely play a significant role in the evolved resistance of Drosophila sechellia to octanoic acid.
- Further research is needed to pinpoint the specific esterase(s) responsible and elucidate their mechanism of action.
![Assessment of Gastric Emptying in Non-obese Diabetic Mice Using a [13C]-octanoic Acid Breath Test](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcloudfront.jove.com%2FCDNSource%2Fteasers%2F50301.jpg&w=3840&q=50)
Related Concept Videos
01:25Acidity and Basicity of Carboxylic Acid Derivatives
4.2K
Carboxylic acids are the strongest among organic acids, as they readily lose the hydroxyl proton to form a resonance-stabilized carboxylate ion. In comparison, the acid derivatives lack acidic hydrogens directly attached to a functional group. In these compounds, the acidic nature arises from their ability to lose α hydrogens, making them weakly acidic.
The relative acidic strength of the derivatives can be explained based on the extent of resonance stabilization of the conjugate base. The...
The relative acidic strength of the derivatives can be explained based on the extent of resonance stabilization of the conjugate base. The...
4.2K
01:28Structures of Carboxylic Acid Derivatives
3.7K
Structure of Carboxylic Acid Derivatives
Carboxylic acid derivatives contain an acyl group attached to a heteroatom such as chlorine, oxygen, or nitrogen. The carbonyl carbon and oxygen are both sp2-hybridized with an unhybridized p orbital.
The three sp2 orbitals of the carbonyl carbon form three σ bonds, one each with the carbonyl oxygen, the α carbon, and the heteroatom, whereas the other two sp2 orbitals of the carbonyl oxygen are occupied by the lone pairs. Further, the unhybridized p...
Carboxylic acid derivatives contain an acyl group attached to a heteroatom such as chlorine, oxygen, or nitrogen. The carbonyl carbon and oxygen are both sp2-hybridized with an unhybridized p orbital.
The three sp2 orbitals of the carbonyl carbon form three σ bonds, one each with the carbonyl oxygen, the α carbon, and the heteroatom, whereas the other two sp2 orbitals of the carbonyl oxygen are occupied by the lone pairs. Further, the unhybridized p...
3.7K
01:26Spectroscopy of Carboxylic Acid Derivatives
3.0K
Infrared spectroscopy is primarily used to determine the types of bonds and functional groups. In carboxylic acid derivatives, a typical carbonyl bond absorption is observed around 1650–1850 cm−1. For esters, the absorption is recorded at around 1740 cm−1, while acid halides show the absorption at about 1800 cm−1. Another acid derivative, the acid anhydrides, exhibit two carbonyl absorption around 1760 cm−1 and 1820 cm−1, arising from the symmetrical and...
3.0K
01:16Nomenclature of Carboxylic Acid Derivatives: Acid Halides, Esters, and Acid Anhydrides
5.9K
Naming Acid Halides
The IUPAC and common names of acid halides are derived from the corresponding carboxylic acids, by changing “ic acid” to “yl halide.” For example, as shown below, the IUPAC name ethanoyl chloride is derived from ethanoic acid, and the common name, acetyl chloride, is obtained from acetic acid.
The IUPAC and common names of acid halides are derived from the corresponding carboxylic acids, by changing “ic acid” to “yl halide.” For example, as shown below, the IUPAC name ethanoyl chloride is derived from ethanoic acid, and the common name, acetyl chloride, is obtained from acetic acid.
5.9K
01:15Carboxylic Acid Derivatives: Overview
5.2K
Carboxylic acid derivatives are formed by replacing the hydroxyl group of carboxylic acids with a different functional group. The most common carboxylic acid derivatives are:
5.2K
01:13Relative Reactivity of Carboxylic Acid Derivatives
3.6K
Carboxylic acid derivatives such as acid halides, anhydrides, esters, and amides undergo nucleophilic acyl substitution reactions with varying degrees of reactivity.
A key factor in assessing the reactivity of the acid derivatives is the basicity of the substituent or the leaving group. The lower the basicity of the leaving group, the higher the reactivity of the derivative. The basicity of the leaving group follows this order:
Halide ions < Acyloxy ions < Alkoxy ions < Amine ions
A key factor in assessing the reactivity of the acid derivatives is the basicity of the substituent or the leaving group. The lower the basicity of the leaving group, the higher the reactivity of the derivative. The basicity of the leaving group follows this order:
Halide ions < Acyloxy ions < Alkoxy ions < Amine ions
3.6K