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Evolution of the codling moth pheromone via an ancient gene duplication
Jean-Marc Lassance1,2, Bao-Jian Ding1, Christer Löfstedt3
1Department of Biology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 37, SE-223 62, Lund, Sweden.
BMC Biology
|April 24, 2021
Summary
Researchers identified a fatty acid desaturase (FAD) gene, Cpo_CPRQ, in codling moths responsible for producing their unique sex pheromone. This ancient gene expansion was crucial for evolving this specific chemical communication trait.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Molecular genetics
- Insect chemical ecology
Background:
- Fatty acid desaturase (FAD) gene diversification drives the evolution of novel traits and insect semiochemicals.
- The FAD gene family is a key model for understanding how gene expansions contribute to lineage-specific innovations.
- The codling moth (Cydia pomonella) produces a unique sex pheromone, (E8,E10)-dodecadienol (codlemone), involving unusual desaturation steps.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the FAD gene responsible for codlemone biosynthesis in the codling moth.
- To investigate the proximate mechanisms underlying the production of the unique ∆8∆10 signature structure in olethreutine moths.
- To understand the evolutionary role of FAD gene family expansions in insect communication.
Main Methods:
- Genome-wide identification and characterization of FAD genes in C. pomonella.
- Transcriptomic analysis to determine gene expression patterns across tissues and developmental stages.
- Heterologous expression assays to functionally characterize FAD enzyme activity.
- Phylogenetic analysis to determine the evolutionary relationships of FAD genes.
Main Results:
- Identified 27 FAD genes in C. pomonella, revealing ancient and recent gene duplications and expansions.
- Demonstrated divergent expression patterns for FAD genes, with some ubiquitously expressed and others tissue-specifically.
- Discovered that Cpo_CPRQ, exclusively expressed in the female pheromone gland, possesses both E9 and ∆8∆10 desaturation activities.
- Phylogenetic analysis placed Cpo_CPRQ within the Lepidoptera-specific ∆10/∆11 FAD clade.
Conclusions:
- The evolution of the olethreutine moth signature pheromone structure involved a gene from an ancient FAD expansion.
- Not all expanded FAD subfamilies appear to be involved in chemical communication.
- Genomic data alone should be interpreted cautiously when inferring the functional consequences of lineage-specific gene expansions.
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