Abstract
Larvae of the Salicaceae-adapted Notodontidae have developed a unique mechanism to metabolize the chemical defenses of their Salicaceae host plants. Salicinoids and salicortinoids are enzymatically transformed into salicyloyl, benzoyl and mixed salicyloyl-benzoyl quinates. The source of quinates and benzoates was previously unknown. To elucidate the origin of quinate and benzoate in the metabolic end-products, we fed Cerura vinula caterpillars with 13C-labelled poplar defense compounds. Caffeoylquinic acids (CQAs), such as chlorogenic acid, neochlorogenic acid and their methyl esters, were identified as the source of quinates in the caterpillar's metabolism. Benzoyl substituents in the quinate end-products were found to originate from compounds such as tremulacin or trichocarpin. Salicaceae-adapted Notodontidae caterpillars have the ability to overcome their host plant's chemical defense by metabolizing CQAs and salicinoids, both abundant defense compounds in Salicacea plants, by a strategy of transformation and recombination. We believe that our study opens up avenues for understanding salicortinoid biotransformation at the enzymatic level.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.