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Biosynthesis of terpenoid secondary metabolites in termites
Jungwirth, Daniel ; Heidingsfeld, Olga (advisor) ; Buček, Aleš (referee)
Terpenoids are natural compounds, which can be found in the form of tens of thousands diverse molecules in all forms of life. Terpenoids are mostly represented in plants, microorganisms,and animals. It should not be a surprise that terpenoids are often found in insects, the most species-rich class of Metazoa. In insects terpenoids are mostly used for communication as pheromones and for chemical defence. In comparison to widespread knowledge of terpene (and terpenoid) biosynthesis in plants we lack thorough knowledge in insects. Studies conducted in past few years showedthat the ability to synthesize terpenoids has occurred independently and repeatedly in various lineages of insects. It was also found that terpene synthase genes evolved via duplication and neofunctionalization of specific genes, which were responsible for isoprenyldiphospate synthesis. Despite these discoveries the terpenoid synthesis in insects is mostly unknown and remains to be elucidated. This thesis aims to functionally characterize three candidate terpene synthases from the termite Nasutitermes takasagoensis. Expression of selected proteins was done in two bacterial systems. For the purification of recombinant proteins immobilized metal ion affinity chromatography was used. Detection of products from assays with purified...
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Regulation of insect pheromone biosynthesis
Halmová, Martina ; Pichová, Iva (advisor) ; Valterová, Irena (referee)
Pheromones are compounds emitted by insects and vertebrates that specifically modulate the behaviour of the same species. Based on the role, pheromones are classified into different types such as releaser pheromones, primer pheromones, sex pheromones, aggregation pheromones, alarm pheromones and trail pheromones. Insect pheromones are volatile substances consisting mostly of alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, aromatic compounds and isoprenoids. Pheromone biosynthesis comprises fatty acid and isoprenoid metabolic pathways. Pheromone biosynthesis must be precisely regulated since the pheromone blend consists of a mixture of compounds with defined ratios and chemical structures. The main aim of this thesis is to summarize the published information about insect pheromone biosynthesis and regulation with a focus on pheromones involved in sexual communication. Attention will also be paid to the biotechnological potential of pheromones in targeted pest management with the utilisation of enzymes present in the biosynthesis of pheromones.
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