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1. Natural genetic variation in the pheromone production of C. elegans

   https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2221150120  

   Lee, Daehan; Fox, Bennett W.; Palomino, Diana Fajardo; Panda, Oishika; Tenjo, Francisco J.; Koury, Emily J.; Evans, Kathryn S.; Stevens, Lewis; Rodrigues, Pedro R.; Kolodziej, Aiden R.; et al (June 2023, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences)

   From bacterial quorum sensing to human language, communication is essential for social interactions. Nematodes produce and sense pheromones to communicate among individuals and respond to environmental changes. These signals are encoded by different types and mixtures of ascarosides, whose modular structures further enhance the diversity of this nematode pheromone language. Interspecific and intraspecific differences in this ascaroside pheromone language have been described previously, but the genetic basis and molecular mechanisms underlying the variation remain largely unknown. Here, we analyzed natural variation in the production of 44 ascarosides across 95 wild Caenorhabditis elegans strains using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry. We discovered wild strains defective in the production of specific subsets of ascarosides ( e.g. , the aggregation pheromone icas#9) or short- and medium-chain ascarosides, as well as inversely correlated patterns between the production of two major classes of ascarosides. We investigated genetic variants that are significantly associated with the natural differences in the composition of the pheromone bouquet, including rare genetic variants in key enzymes participating in ascaroside biosynthesis, such as the peroxisomal 3-ketoacyl-CoA thiolase, daf-22 , and the carboxylesterase cest-3 . Genome-wide association mappings revealed genomic loci harboring common variants that affect ascaroside profiles. Our study yields a valuable dataset for investigating the genetic mechanisms underlying the evolution of chemical communication. 

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2. In situ lipid profiling of insect pheromone glands by direct analysis in real time mass spectrometry

   https://doi.org/10.1039/d2an00840h  

   Cetraro, Nicolas; Yew, Joanne Y. (July 2022, The Analyst)

   Lipid pheromones play a significant role in the behavior and ecology of many insects. The characterization of pheromone structures is a significant challenge due to their low abundance and ephemeral nature. Here we present a method for the analysis of lipid molecules from single pheromone glands of Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly) using Direct Analysis in Real Time mass spectrometry (DART MS). Our results reveal that DART MS analysis of single tissues generates reproducible, species-specific lipid profiles comprised of fatty acids, wax esters, diacylglycerides and triacylglycerides. In addition, the ion source temperature and application of a solvent wash can cause significant qualitative and quantitative changes in the mass spectral profile. Lastly, we show that untargeted chemical fingerprinting of the gland can be used to accurately categorize species according to phylogenetic subgroup or genotype. Collectively, our findings indicate that DART MS is a rapid and powerful method for characterizing a broad range of lipids in tissues with minimal preparation. The application of direct tissue DART MS will expand the “secretome” of molecules produced by pheromone glands. In addition to its direct relevance to chemical ecology, the method could potentially be used in pharmaceutical studies for the screening and detection of tissue-specific drug metabolites. 

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3. Early Pheromone Experience Modifies a Synaptic Activity to Influence Adult Pheromone Responses of C. elegans

   https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2017.08.068  

   Hong, Myeongjin; Ryu, Leesun; Ow, Maria C.; Kim, Jinmahn; Je, A Reum; Chinta, Satya; Huh, Yang Hoon; Lee, Kea Joo; Butcher, Rebecca A.; Choi, Hongsoo; et al (October 2017, Current Biology)
4. Structural characterization of acyl-CoA oxidases reveals a direct link between pheromone biosynthesis and metabolic state in Caenorhabditis elegans

   https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1608262113  

   Zhang, Xinxing; Li, Kunhua; Jones, Rachel A.; Bruner, Steven D.; Butcher, Rebecca A. (September 2016, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences)
5. Challenges in Modeling Pheromone Capture by Pectinate Antennae

   https://doi.org/10.1093/icb/icaa057  

   Jaffar-Bandjee, Mourad; Krijnen, Gijs; Casas, Jérôme (June 2020, Integrative and Comparative Biology)

   null (Ed.)

   Synopsis Insect pectinate antennae are very complex objects and studying how they capture pheromone is a challenging mass transfer problem. A few works have already been dedicated to this issue and we review their strengths and weaknesses. In all cases, a common approach is used: the antenna is split between its macro- and microstructure. Fluid dynamics aspects are solved at the highest level of the whole antenna first, that is, the macrostructure. Then, mass transfer is estimated at the scale of a single sensillum, that is, the microstructure. Another common characteristic is the modeling of sensilla by cylinders positioned transversal to the flow. Increasing efforts in faithfully modeling the geometry of the pectinate antenna and their orientation to the air flow are required to understand the major advantageous capture properties of these complex organs. Such a model would compare pectinate antennae to cylindrical ones and may help to understand why such forms of antennae evolved so many times among Lepidoptera and other insect orders. 

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