0000000000012277
AUTHOR
Rémy Brossut
Protein and amino acid composition of the tergal gland secretions ofBlatta orientalis andEurycotis floridana (Dictyoptera: Blattidae)
Summary Nymphs and adult females ofBlatta orientalis and nymphs ofEurycotis floridana produce a proteinaceous sticky secretion which accumulates on the last abdominal tergites. The proteic patterns do not differ between individuals of the same species. HPLC analyses show that all the common amino acids are found in both species, aspartic and glutamic acids representing 24 to 37% of the total amount of amino acids. InB. orientalis, glutamic acid is the more abundant amino acid whereas inE. floridana it is the aspartic acid. The secretion appears and accumulates rapidly on isolated insects. Behavioural assays revealed that these secretions have a defensive role.
Evidence for sex pheromones produced by males and females inBlatta orientalis (Dictyoptera, Blattidae).
Males and females ofBlatta orientalis produce a volatile sex pheromone attractive at a distance. The male initiates courtship behavior by adopting a calling posture while emitting his sex pheromone. He exposes the anterior region of his tergites by stretching his abdomen horizontally. Morphological observations show the existence of male tergal glands on the anterior region of tergites 1 to 8. Behavioral assays of females utilizing methylene chloride extracts of various male body parts reveal that extracts of the anterior region of tergites are highly attractive and induce more positive responses that any other body part. Once near the male, the attracted female opens widely her genital atr…
Characterization of two male-specific polypeptides in the tergal glands secretions of the cockroach Leucophaea maderae (Dictyoptera, Blaberidae)
0965-1748 (Print) Journal Article Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; During the sexual behavior of cockroaches, the female mounts the courting male to feed on the proteinaceous secretion of the tergal glands. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of male and female protein extracts after cuticle wiping revealed three major bands. Two of 18 and 22 kDa, named Lma-P18 and Lma-P22, are specific to the male tergal extracts. Moreover, Lma-P22 is only found in the male second tergite extracts. The third one of 54 kDa, named Lma-P54, is common to male and female extracts and could be considered as an ubiquitous surface protein. Several other minor proteins are also present on the body surface of adults…
What does Cryptocercus kyebangensis, n.sp. (Dictyoptera: Blattaria: Polyphagidae) from Korea reveal about Cryptocercus evolution? A study in morphology, molecular phylogeny, and chemistry of tergal glands
doi: 10.1635/0097-3157(2001)151[0061:WDCKNS]2.0.CO;2 0097-3157 doi: 10.1635/0097-3157(2001)151[0061:WDCKNS]2.0.CO;2; The description of a new species of the woodroach Cryptocercus kyebangensis Grandcolas from South Korea offers the opportunity to bring comparative information within the genus. This species, though morphologically very similar to other East Asian and North American species, presents conspicuous differentiation of both ribosomal genes (sequenced fragments of 12S and 16S) and chemical blends from tergal glands (proportions of linalyl acetate and the alcohol 4, 6, 8-trimethyl-7, 9-undecadien-5-ol, compounds previously identified in females originating from North America). A phy…
Tergal glands of male and femaleCryptocercus punctulatus scudder (Dictyoptera: Cryptocercidae): Composition, sexual dimorphism, and geographic variation of secretion
International audience; Males and females of Cryptocercus punctulatus possess tergal glands, but they differ in position, size, morphology, and secretion chemistry. Compound A (linalyl acetate) is the most abundant of the 21 compounds found only in the secretion of these glands. Compound B, 4,6,8-trimethyl-7,9-undecadien-5-ol, is specific to the tergal secretion of females.C. punctulatus lives only in the United States; its distribution is disjunct. Compound A is found in samples from the eastern population but is absent in samples from the western population. The amount of compound B per gland in samples from the western population is at least twice as high as in the samples from the easte…
2-methylthiazolidine and 4-ethylguaiacol, male sex pheromone components of the cockroach Nauphoeta cinerea (Dictyoptera, Bladeridae) : A reinvestigation
49 ref.; International audience; In Nauphoeta cinerea, male calling behavior is associated with sex pheromone release by the sternal glands. The male pheromone that attracts females from a distance is a mixture of 2-methylthiazolidine and 4-ethylguaiacol. It is active at very low concentrations, 0.05 and 0.01 ng, respectively. Two other compounds, 3-hydroxy-2-butanone and 2-methyl-2thiazoline, act at close range, keeping the female in the vicinity of the male. The function of the volatile pheromone and those of previously described contact pheromones are discussed in regard to their possible involvement in the establishment of male dominant-subordinate relationships.
Molecular characterization of a new adult male putative calycin specific to tergal aphrodisiac secretion in the cockroach Leucophaea maderae
0014-5793 (Print) Journal Article Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Lma-p18 is an epicuticular surface protein specific to the tergal gland aphrodisiac secretion of Leucophaea maderae adult males. Native Lma-p18 was purified and the complete cDNA sequence was determined by RT-PCR using primers based on Edman degradation fragments. Northern blot and in situ hybridization analyses showed that Lma-p18 is expressed exclusively in the anterior part of male tergal gland, which is exposed only during sexual behavior. Sequence analysis indicated that Lma-p18 belongs to the calycin superfamily and is very similar to Lma-p22, the first known male-specific tergal protein in L. maderae. Lma-p18 and Lma…
Production, regeneration and biochemical precursors of the major components of the defensive secretion of Eurycotis floridana (Dictyoptera, polyzosteriinae)
0965-1748 (Print) Journal Article; The defensive secretion of the cockroach Eurycotis floridana contains three main components, (E)-2-hexenal, (E)-2-hexenol and (E)-2-hexenoic acid, which represented about 98% of the organic phase. The quantity of the aldehyde, alcohol, and acid present in the defensive secretion increased rapidly for 60 days from the imaginal moult. Following artificial discharge, the males were able to regenerate their initial volume of secretion over a 30 day period. To investigate the possible routes of biosynthesis of the three components, E. floridana was injected with 14C-labeled fatty acids and acetate, and the incorporation of 14C into the three components were qua…
Male sex pheromone of cockroach Eurycotis floridana (Walker) (Blattidae, Polyzosteriinae): role and composition of tergites 2 and 8 secretions
0098-0331; In Eurycotis floridana, the male calling behavior is associated with the exposition of epidermal glands located under tergites 2, 7, and 8. 4-Hydroxy-5-methyl-3(2H)-furanone and 4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone were recently identified as the specific components of tergite 7 secretion. Methylene chloride extracts of tergite 7 and its major compound 4-hydroxy-5-methyl-3(2H)-furanone attract the conspecific females at a distance. Methylene chloride extracts of tergite 8 are also attractive at a distance to the females, whereas extracts of tergite 2 had no effect on males and females. Our GC investigations showed the absence of specific compounds in tergite 2 secretions. The GC…
Changes of species specific cuticular hydrocarbon profiles in the cockroaches Nauphoeta cinerea and Leucophaea maderae reared in heterospecific groups
0013-8703 (Print) 1570-7458 (Online); The cuticular hydrocarbon profiles of the cockroaches Nauphoeta cinerea and Leucophaea maderae are species-specific when maintained in homospecific rearings. When individuals were reared in mixed species colonies, they initially remained in homospecific groups under different shelters. However, after 14 days they formed one heterospecific group with cuticular profiles showing characteristics of both species. When individuals were returned in monospecific rearings, their cuticular hydrocarbon profiles returned to species-specific ones within 3 weeks.
Pheromones inBlattella germanica andBlaberus craniifer (Blaberoidea): Glandular source, morphology and analyses of pheromonally released behaviours
Females ofBlattella germanica andBlaberus craniifer produce a volatile sex pheromone attractive at a distance for conspecific males. During the emission of the pheromone, females ofB. craniifer adopt a typical calling posture; we never observe such a stance inB. germanica females. For both species, the glandular structures responsible for pheromonal production are located on the female pygidium. InB. germanica, the thickness of the glandular epithelium is clearly correlated with the attractiveness of females, being maximum for 13 day old females. The functions of the pygidial glands are discussed in both species.
Molecular characterization of Lma-p54, a new epicuticular surface protein in the cockroach Leucophaea maderae (Dictyoptera, oxyhaloinae)
0965-1748 (Print) Journal Article Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; The epicuticular surface protein Lma-p54 is imbedded in the "cuticular waxes" which cover the abdominal surface of the adult Leucophaea maderae. Natural Lma-p54 was purified and the complete cDNA sequence was determined by RT-PCR using primers based on Edman degradation fragments. Northern blot and in situ hybridization analyses showed that Lma-p54 was expressed in the adult abdominal epidermis and in the chemical sense organs of both sexes. Sequence alignment indicates that Lma-p54 is closely related to aspartic proteases (EC 3.4.23). However, there are critical amino acid substitutions at the level of the active site and,…
Isolation and identification of 4,6,8-trimethyl-7,9-undecadien-5-ol, a female-specific compound, in tergal gland secretion ofCryptocercus punctulatus scudder (Dictyoptera: Cryptocercidae)
International audience; The secretion of the tergal glands of Cryptocercus punctulatus consists of a complex mixture of 27 compounds. Of this mixture, only one compound (compound B) is specific for females. By dissecting 200 tergal glands, 50 µg of pure compound B was collected by preparative GC; it was identified as (Z, E-4,6,8-trimethyl-7,9-undecadien-5-oI. Its functions as well as its absolute configuration still have to be determined.
The defensive secretion of Eurycotis floridana (Dictyoptera, Blattidae, Polyzosteriinae): chemical identification and evidence of an alarm function
0965-1748 doi: DOI: 10.1016/S0965-1748(97)00033-7; The defensive secretion of the cockroach Eurycotis floridana was believed to contain only (E)-2-hexenal. However, we have shown it consists of 40 components, of which 30 were tentatively identified. (E)-2-Hexenal, (E)-2-hexenol and (E)-2-hexenoic acid represented approximately 98% of the organic phase. The other 2% included 10 aldehydes, 10 alcohols, four acids, two lactones and one ether. Four compounds are novel insect exudates: 3-ethoxyhexanal, 3-hydroxyhexanal, [(E)-1-pentenyl]-4-propyl-1,3-dioxane and 3-[(E)-2-hexenoxyl-hexanal. In addition to its well-known allomonal function, we have demonstrated that the defensive secretion also act…
Calling behaviour of female Periplaneta americana: Behavioural analysis and identification of the pheromone source
Abstract The site for the production of Periplanone B, one of the components of the female sex pheromone of Periplaneta americana , was localized in glands situated in the genital atrium, and we have called these structures atrial glands. While emitting the sex pheromone, females adopt a characteristic calling posture during which time the atrial glands are exposed. Behavioural assays of males utilizing pentane extracts of various female body parts revealed that atrial gland extracts are highly attractive, and induced more wing-raising behaviour, than any other female body part. GC-MS analyses support these results by revealing that Periplanone B is only present in the atrial glands. We est…
Pheromonal emission during the mating behavior ofEurycotis floridana (Walker) (Dictyoptera: Blattidae)
The sexual behavior of males and females ofEurycotis floridana was investigated and the various associated behavioral sequences are described. Olfactometer data proved that the male produces a volatile sex pheromone attractive at a distance to conspecific females. The male initiates courtship behavior by exposing the glandular areas on the anterior parts of abdominal tergites 2, 7, and 8. This male calling behavior was observed throughout the day. The males can mate when 8 days old, whereas virgin females are sexually receptive 18 days after becoming adults. Once attracted near the male, the female opens her genital atrium and climbs on the back of the male, where she feeds on the glandular…
4-Hydroxy-5-methyl-3(2H)-furanone and 4-Hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone, Two Components of the Male Sex Pheromone ofEurycotis floridana(Walker) (Insecta, Blattidae, Polyzosteriinae)
In Eurycotis floridana, male calling behavior is associated with the sex pheromone released by the anterior part of tergites. 2, 7, and 8. Glandular extracts of tergite 7 revealed a characteristic odor of caramel which is attractive at a distance for the females. We identified the two compounds responsible for this odor, 4-hydroxy-5-methyl-3(2H)-furanone and 4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone. These compounds are known to be very important as flavor components of foods, but this is the first time that they have been. identified as natural insect products. Various amounts of the identified compounds were tested, and their biological function is discussed.
Morphology of the male and female tergal glands of the woodroach Cryptocercus punctulatus (Insecta, Dictyoptera)
Males and females of Cryptocercus punctulatus possess tergal glands which differ in position, size, morphology, and chemical composition of their secretions. Ultrastructural studies reveal the presence of class 1 and class 3 glandular units interspersed throughout the glands; class 3 glandular units are 30 times as numerous as in the female, but no cytological difference was found between the sexes. The morphology of the tergal glands is characterized by the occurrence of a subcuticular space reservoir, a dense tracheal system, and a thick collagenous layer instead of the typical basement membrane. Comparison with the termite abdominal gland system indicates a great similarity in the fine s…
Chemistry of defensive secretions in nymphs and adults of fire bug , Pyrrhocoris apterus L.(Heteroptera, Pyrrhocoridae)
International audience; The defensive secretions from the nymphs and the adults of both sexes in P. apterus were chemically investigated. Forty components were identified from the nymphal posterior dorsoabdominal glands and 35 from the adult metathoracic glands of both sexes. Within the 43 identified chemicals, we found 23 aldehydes, five saturated hydrocarbons, five alcohols, three ketones, three lactones, two terpenes, one phenol and one ester. Thirteen of these compounds had never been reported within the Heteroptera. Whereas eight components are specific to the nymphs, methyl pentenal, (E)-2-hexenol, and heptadecanal are the only adult-specific components. The biological role of all the…
Defensive secretions of nymphs and adults of five species of Pyrrhocoridae (Insecta: Heteroptera)
Abstract The chemical composition of the defensive secretions of the nymphs and the adults of Dysdercus fasciatus was investigated. Thirty compounds were identified from the nymphal posterior dorsoabdominal glands, and 34 from the adult metathoracic glands of both sexes. The data were compared with those reported for other species of Pyrrhocoridae. For the species Dysdercus cingulatus, D. fasciatus , and Pyrrhocoris apertus , 63 identified compounds can be divided into 11 chemical groups: aldehydes, saturated hydrocarbons, acetates, alcohols, terpenes, lactones, ketones, esters, alkenes, acids and miscellaneous compounds. These data and those from the literature on Dysdercus intermedius and…
The Cryptocercus punctulatus species complex (Dictyoptera: Cryptocercidae) in the eastern United States: comparison of cuticular hydrocarbons, chromosome number, and DNA sequences.
1055-7903; The goal of the current study was to determine if cuticular hydrocarbons could be used to empirically delimit taxa within the Cryptocercus punctulatus species complex in the eastern United States. Cockroaches were collected from rotting logs in 22 locations across four states. Hydrocarbon phenotypes and two mitochondrial (16S and COII) genes and one nuclear (ITS2) gene were independently analyzed to determine their relationship with chromosome number. Five distinct hydrocarbon phenotypes were found, but these were only partly congruent with chromosome number and thus with purported species descriptions. Molecular and cuticular hydrocarbon data each indicate that Cryptocercus with…
Molecular characterization of a male-specific glycosyl hydrolase, Lma-p72, secreted on to the abdominal surface of the Madeira cockroach Leucophaea maderae (Blaberidae, Oxyhaloinae)
0264-6021 (Print) Journal Article Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; The epicuticular surface protein Lma-p72 is specific to the abdominal secretions of Leucophaea maderae (Madeira cockroach) adult males. Natural Lma-p72 was purified and the complete cDNA sequence determined by reverse-transcription PCR using primers based on Edman degradation fragments. Northern blot and in situ hybridization analyses showed that Lma-p72 was expressed in the tergal and sternal glands. Sequence alignment indicates that Lma-p72 is closely related to the family 1 glycosyl hydrolases (EC 3.2.1). Native Lma-p72 was proved to be active in the abdominal secretions and exhibit a beta-galactosidase-like activity. Ho…
The crystal structure of a cockroach pheromone-binding protein suggests a new ligand binding and release mechanism.
Pheromone-binding proteins (PBPs) are small helical proteins found in sensorial organs, particularly in the antennae, of moth and other insect species. They were proposed to solubilize and carry the hydrophobic pheromonal compounds through the antennal lymph to receptors, participating thus in the peri-receptor events of signal transduction. The x-ray structure of Bombyx mori PBP (BmorPBP), from male antennae, revealed a six-helix fold forming a cavity that contains the pheromone bombykol. We have identified a PBP (LmaPBP) from the cockroach Leucophaea maderae in the antennae of the females, the gender attracted by pheromones in this species. Here we report the crystal structure of LmaPBP a…
Chemistry of pheromonal and defensive secretions in the nymphs and the adults ofDysdercus cingulatus Fabr. (Heteroptera, Pyrrhocoridae)
59 ref.; International audience; The exocrine secretions from the nymphs and the adults of both sexes in D. cingulatus were chemically investigated. Seven compounds were identified in the anterior glands, and eleven in the median dorsoabdominal glands of nymphs and adults of both sexes. Fifty-five compounds were identified in the defensive glands (34 in posterior dorsoabdominal glands ofnymphs and 21 in metathoracic glands of adults), and six in the sternal glandular epithelium of the males. The biological function of the glandular secretions and of their identified compounds were investigated and are discussed.
A pheromone-binding protein from the cockroach Leucophaea maderae: cloning, expression and pheromone binding
0264-6021 (Print) Journal Article; Odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) are thought to transport volatile compounds from air to their receptors through the sensillary lymph. In this protein family, the subgroup of pheromone-binding proteins (PBPs) is specifically tuned to the perception of the sexual pheromone. To date, the description of OBPs has been restricted to Endopterygota and Paraneoptera. Their expression in Orthopteroid has been hypothesized, but no evidence of OBP has been produced in this assemblage to date. In the present study, we describe the first OBP from a Dictyopteran insect that belongs to the cockroach Leucophaea maderae. The PBP of L. maderae (PBPLma) shares all the hallmar…
Crystallization and preliminary crystallographic study of a pheromone-binding protein from the cockroachLeucophaea maderae
Pheromone-binding proteins (PBPs) are small helical proteins (13-18 kDa) present in various sensory organs of moths and other insect species. An antennal protein from the cockroach Leucophaea maderae (LmaPBP) has been found to share all the hallmarks of the PBP family and is expressed specifically in the female adult antennae, the gender that perceives the sex pheromone. Here, the crystallization of LmaPBP expressed as a recombinant protein in Escherichia coli periplasm is reported. Crystals of LmaPBP were obtained by the sitting-drop vapour-diffusion method using a nanodrop-dispensing robot. The protein crystallizes in two different crystal forms. Form 1 belongs to space group P1, with uni…