The pheromone biosynthesis in Plutella xylostella is more active in the scotophase than in the photophase, which suggests that there may be changes of gene expression in the pheromone glands. To identify genes contributing to change in pheromone production, we analyzed transcriptomes from pheromone glands of both decapitated females in the photophase and normal ones in the scotophase. Comparative analysis were performed with transcriptomes of pheromone glands from non-decapitated (PG) females and decapitated ones for identification and expression of putative genes associated with pheromone biosynthesis pathway. Deep sequencing for mRNAs in the pheromone gland yielded approximately 7.5Gb and totally 17265 transcript were constructed under a homology cutoff of 10-6 Evalue. Genes putatively involved in pheromone biosynthesis were identified such as acetyl-CoA carboxylase, acetyl-CoAdehydrogenase, fatty acid synthase (FAS), desaturases (Δ9 and Δ 11) and fatty acid reductases (FAR) including pgFAR, alcohol oxidase, aldehyde oxidase and aldehyde reductase, etc. Expression of 6 signal genes involving in pheromone biosynthesis such as acyl-CoA desaturase, FAR, PBAN receptor, fatty acid transporter, acyl-CoA binding protein did not exhibited ant significant different in both transcriptomes. Quantitative RT-PCR revealed that expressions of FAS, Δ11 desaturase and pgFAR were higher in PG than that in ΔPG. Based on results, Δ11 desaturase and pgFAR may have a crucial role in sex pheromone biosynthesis of P. xylostella.

• Yoon Jung Hwang(Department of Biology, Kyungsung University)
• Chung Ryul Chung(Rural Development Administration)
• Dae-Weon Lee(Department of Biology, Kyungsung University)