Nobuhiro Shimizu

n-Hexyl Laurate and Fourteen Related Fatty Acid Esters: New Secretory Compounds from the Julid Millipede, Anaulaciulus sp.

A total of fifteen saturated fatty acid esters were newly identified from the secretions of an unidentified Anaulaciulus sp. (Julida: Julidae). The fatty acid components of the esters were composed of normal chain acids (from C10 to C14) and of branched chain acids (from iso-C12 to iso-C15 and anteiso-C15). The alcohol moieties were all composed of normal chain alcohols varying from n-butanol to n-octanol. The most abundant component found in the total esters was n-hexyl laurate (64.7%). Novel compounds identified from the millipede secretion extracts include six branched iso- and anteiso-fatty esters, an odd-numbered C11-fatty acid ester, a C13-fatty acid ester, and a C7-alcohol ester, all of which were previously undescribed natural products. In addition, a characteristic mixture of benzoquinones, such as 2-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone, 2-methoxy-3-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone, 2,3-dimethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone, 2-methoxy-6-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone, and 2,3-dimethoxy-5-methyl-1,4-benzoquinone were identified from the secretions, together with trace amounts of 1,4-benzoquinone.

De novo biosynthesis of linoleic acid and its conversion to the hydrocarbon (Z,Z)-6,9-heptadecadiene in the astigmatid mite, Carpoglyphus lactis: Incorporation experiments with 13C-labeled glucose

De novo biosynthesis of linoleic acid (LA) and its conversion to (Z,Z)-6,9-heptadecadiene were examined in Carpoglyphus lactis (Acarina, Carpoglyphidae). Experiments involving (13)C-administration using [1-(13)C]-d-glucose revealed that (13)C atoms were incorporated into LA of total lipid extracted from the mite, resulting in labeling of all even-numbered carbons. This result demonstrated that LA was produced from (13)C-labeled acetyl-CoA, which is indicative of direct de novo biosynthesis. In these feeding experiments involving [1-(13)C]-D-glucose, (13)C atoms were also incorporated into (Z,Z)-6,9-heptadecadiene, which is one of the major secretory components in the mite. The labeling pattern of (Z,Z)-6,9-heptadecadiene at odd-numbered carbons agreed well with that of LA after loss of the carboxyl carbon. It was concluded that the mites could stably convert LA into (Z,Z)-6,9-heptadecadiene without the dietary requirement of this essential fatty acid.

Biosynthesis of linoleic acid in Tyrophagus mites (Acarina: Acaridae)

We report here that Tyrophagus similis and Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Astigmata: Acaridae) have the ability to biosynthesize linoleic acid [(9Z, 12Z)-9, 12-octadecadienoic acid] via a Δ12-desaturation step, although animals in general and vertebrates in particular appear to lack this ability. When the mites were fed on dried yeast enriched with d31-hexadecanoic acid (16:0), d27-octadecadienoic acid (18:2), produced from d31-hexadecanoic acid through elongation and desaturation reactions, was identified as a major fatty acid component of phosphatidylcholines (PCs) and phosphatidylethanolamines (PEs) in the mites. The double bond position of d27-octadecadienoic acid (18:2) of PCs and PEs was determined to be 9 and 12, respectively by dimethyldisulfide (DMDS) derivatization. Furthermore, the GC/MS retention time of methyl 9, 12-octadecadienoate obtained from mite extracts agreed well with those of authentic linoleic acid methyl ester. It is still unclear whether the mites themselves or symbiotic microorganisms are responsible for inserting a double bond into the Δ12 position of octadecanoic acid. However, we present here the unique metabolism of fatty acids in the mites.

Biosynthetic pathway of aliphatic formates via a Baeyer–Villiger oxidation in mechanism present in astigmatid mites

Significance Aliphatic formates are commonly detected in astigmatid mite secretions and have been considered for roles in pheromone communication. Despite the natural occurrence of aliphatic formates, details surrounding the biosynthetic pathways remain unclear. To probe the biosynthetic mechanism, we performed 13C-incorporation experiments targeting two different chain-like aliphatic formates by feeding with suitable labeled precursors. Results support a mechanism whereby formates are generated via the Baeyer–Villiger oxidation of aldehydes as direct precursors. The enzyme that catalyzes this reaction has yet to be identified in animals, microbes, and plants. Results from the labeling studies inform approaches to identify the specific gene and encoded enzyme responsible for aliphatic formate biosynthesis, which will enable a facile dehomologation method in the field of organic synthesis. Astigmatid mites depend on bioactive glandular secretions, pheromones, and defensive agents to mediate intra- and interspecies interactions. Aliphatic formates, such as (Z,Z)-8,11-heptadecadienyl formate (8,11-F17) and (Z)-8-heptadecenyl formate (8-F17), are rarely encountered natural products that are abundant in Sancassania sp. Sasagawa (Acari: Acaridae) mite secretions. Linoleic acid and oleic acid are predicted as key intermediates in the synthesis of the closely related aliphatic formates. To gain insight in this biosynthetic pathway, acarid mite feeding experiments were conducted using 13C-labeled precursors to precisely track incorporation. Analyses using 13C NMR spectroscopy demonstrated that the 13C-labeling pattern of the precursors was detectable on formates in exocrine secretions and likewise on fatty acids in total lipid pools. Curiously, the results demonstrated that the formates were biosynthesized without the dehomologation of corresponding fatty acids. Careful examination of the mass spectra from labeling experiments revealed that the carbonyl carbon of the formates is originally derived from the C-1 position of the fatty acids. Consistent with a Baeyer–Villiger oxidation reaction, labeling studies support the insertion of an oxygen atom between the carbonyl group and carbon chain. Empirical data support the existence of a Baeyer–Villiger monooxygenase responsible for the catalyzation of the Baeyer–Villiger oxidation. The predicted existence of a Baeyer–Villiger monooxygenase capable of converting aliphatic aldehydes to formates represents an exciting opportunity to expand the enzymatic toolbox available for controlled biochemical synthesis.

Stereochemistry of Female-Specific Normonoterpenes, Sex Pheromone Candidates from the Acarid Mite, Tyreophagus sp. (Astigmata: Acaridae)

Two normonoterpenes were detected from an unidentified Tyreophagus sp. as new female-specific components. Both planar structures were identified to be 2,6-dimethyl-5-heptenal (1) and 2,6-dimethyl-5-hepten-1-ol (2) by GC/MS co-chromatography with synthetic 1 and 2. The stereochemistry of 2 was determined to be R by a GC analysis with a chiral column, while that of 1 was presumed to be similar to 2 based on the biosynthetic aspects.

Identification of Esters as Novel Aggregation Pheromone Components Produced by the Male Powder-Post Beetle, Lyctus africanus Lesne (Coleoptera: Lyctinae)

Lyctus africanus is a cosmopolitan powder-post beetle that is considered one of the major pests threatening timber and timber products. Because infestations of this beetle are inconspicuous, damage is difficult to detect and identification is often delayed. We identified the chemical compounds involved in the aggregation behavior of L. africanus using preparations of crude hexanic extracts from male and female beetles (ME and FE, respectively). Both male and female beetles showed significant preferences for ME, which was found to contain three esters. FE was ignored by both the sexes. Further bioassay confirmed the role of esters in the aggregation behavior of L. africanus. Three esters were identified as 2-propyl dodecanoate, 3-pentyl dodecanoate, and 3-pentyl tetradecanoate. Further behavioral bioassays revealed 3-pentyl dodecanoate to play the main role in the aggregation behavior of female L. africanus beetles. However, significantly more beetles aggregated on a paper disk treated with a blend of the three esters than on a paper disk treated with a single ester. This is the first report on pheromone identification in L. africanus; in addition, the study for the first time presents 3-pentyl dodecanoate as an insect pheromone.

The Absolute Configuration of Chrysomelidial: A Widely Distributed Defensive Component Among Oribotririid Mites (Acari: Oribatida)

The absolute configuration of the iridoid monoterpene chrysomelidial from the oribatid mite, Austrotritia dentate Aoki, was elucidated by the GC-MS and GC comparisons with four synthetic stereoisomers of this well-known natural product. This identification was made possible by asymmetric synthesis of the known alcohol, (5S,8S)-chrysomelidiol. The GC retention time of diol derived from the natural oribatid dial agreed with that of the synthetic (5S,8S)-chrysomelidiol, confirming that the absolute configurations at C5 and C8 positions of the natural chrysomelidial are both S. Chrysomelidial was detected as a single or a major component in nine oribatid mites examined; thus, this compound is considered to be commonly distributed in Oribotririidae where it serves a defensive role.

Geraniol, E-3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadien-1-ol, as the Alarm Pheromone of the Sycamore Lace Bug Corythucha ciliata (Say)

Although adult sycamore lace bugs Corythucha ciliata (Say) show no sign of aggregation, nymphs at all developing stages are gregarious. When an individual nymph in the center of a colony was squashed with a needlepoint, proximate nymphs showed evasive behavior. The same evasive reaction was produced by exposing aggregated nymphs to nymph hexane extract. The active component, E-3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadien-1-ol, geraniol, was responsible for the evasive behavior, and identified as the alarm pheromone. One nanogram of the alarm pheromone elicited activity similar to that in a third instar nymph. Presence of 2-acylcyclohexane-1,3-diones and their 4-hydroxy analogues are reconfirmed as nymph-specific components, though their biological significance remains unknown.

Syntheses of Bioactive Bisabolane-Type Cryptomeria japonica Sesquiterpenes

The first diastereoselective synthesis of (1S,6R)-1-hydroxy-2,7(14),10-bisabolatrien-4-one, an antifeedant against Acusta despesta and Locusta migratoria, was produced from Cryptomeria japonica (commonly known as Japanese cedar), starting from (R)-(−)-carvone via (R)-(−)-cryptomerione. The enantiomer was transformed into (1S,3R,6R)-1-hydroxy-7(14),10-bisaboladien-4-one, a novel antifeedant against L. migratoria from the same tree, by 1,4-selective reduction of the enone moiety.