Pheromone Biochemistry

Pheromone Biochemistry covers chapters on Lepidoptera, ticks, flies, beetles, and even vertebrate olfactory biochemistry. The book discusses pheromone production and its regulation in female insects; as well as reception, perception, and degradation of pheromones by male insects. The text then describes the pheromone biosynthesis and its regulation and the reception and catabolism of pheromones. Researchers in the areas of chemistry, biochemistry, entomology, neurobiology, molecular biology, enzymology, morphology, behavior, and ecology will find the book useful.

Table of Contents:
Preface Acknowledgments I. Pheromone Biosynthesis and its Regulation 1. Relationship of Structure and Function to Biochemistry in Insect Pheromone Systems I. Introduction II. Chemical Structure of Insect Pheromone Systems III. Behavioral and Physiological Responses of Insects to Pheromones IV. Biochemistry of Pheromone Systems References 2. Biology and Ultrastructure of Sex Pheromone-Producing Glands I. Introduction II. Elucidation of Structural Details III. Distribution of Glands IV. Glands of Female Lepidoptera V. Concluding Remarks References 3. Pheromone Biosynthesis in Lepidopterans: Desaturation and Chain Shortening I. Introduction II. Methodology References 4. Pheromone Biosynthesis: Enzymatic Studies in Lepidoptera I. Introduction II. Biosynthesis of Long Chain Acetate Ester, Alcohol, and Aldehyde Pheromones III. Criteria for Identification of Enzymes in Pheromone Biosynthesis IV. Pathway for Pheromone Biosynthesis in the Spruce Budworm Moth V. Conclusions References 5. Endocrine Regulation of Pheromone Production in Lepidoptera I. Introduction II. Previous Research Findings III. Current Research IV. Future Research V. Prospects and Strategies for Exploiting Neurohormonal Regulation in Insects References 6. Biosynthesis of Pheromones and Endocrine Regulation of Pheromone Production in Coleoptera I. Introduction II. Mechanisms of Production III. Manipulation of Pheromone Chirality IV. Endocrine Regulation of Pheromone Production V. Concluding Remarks References 7. Biosynthesis and Endocrine Regulation of Sex Pheromone Production in Diptera I. Introduction: Dipteran Pheromones—An Overview II. Reproductive Biology of the Housefly III. Housefly Sex Pheromone IV. Endocrine Regulation of Pheromone Production V. Biosynthesis of Sex Pheromones in Diptera VI. Summary References 8. Alkaloid-Derived Pheromones and Sexual Selection in Lepidoptera I. Introduction II. Danaidone: First Characterization of a Hairpencil Secretion (Lycorea ceres) III. Danaidone: Proven Pheromonal Function (Danaus gilippus) IV. Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids: Proven Defensive Role (Utetheisa ornatrix) V. Hydroxydanaidal: Pheromonal Indicator of Systemic Alkaloid Load (Utetheisa ornatrix) VI. Pyrrolizidine Alkaloids: Parental Transmission to Egg (Utetheisa ornatrix and Danaus gilippus) VII. Postscript References 9. Neuroendocrine Regulation of Sex Pheromone-Mediated Behavior in Ixodid Ticks I. Introduction II. Sex Pheromones of Ixodid Ticks III. Role of Ecdysteroids in Regulating Sex Pheromone Biosynthesis in Ticks and Insects IV. Role of Juvenile Hormone/Gonadotropic Hormone in Regulating Tick Pheromone Activity V. Metabolism of Ecdysones in Ticks VI. Sites of Ecdysteroid Production in Ticks VII. 20-Hydroxyecdysone as a Component of the Genital Sex Pheromone of Ixodid Ticks VIII. Role of Neurosecretions in Stimulating Sex Pheromone Activity IX. Perception of Pheromones X. Summary References 10. Cantharidin Biosynthesis and Function in Meloid Beetles I. Introduction II. Methodology III. Results IV. Topics for Investigation References II. Reception and Catabolism of Pheromones 11. Functional Morphology of Pheromone-Sensitive Sensilla I. Introduction II. Antennal Shape, Sensillar Form and Distribution—Uptake of Pheromone Molecules III. Fine Structure of Olfactory Hairs—Stimulus Transport to the Receptor Site IV. Cellular Organization—Implications for Electrophysiology and Biochemistry V. Supplementary and Concluding Remarks References 12. The Molecular Basis of Pheromone Reception: Its Influence on Behavior I. Introduction II. The Animal III. Sensory Hair Proteins IV. Dynamic Interactions between Pheromone and Sensory Hair Proteins: Models of Pheromone Reception V. Transductory Mechanisms VI. Species Comparisons: The Biochemistry of Pheromone Reception in the Gypsy Moth VII. Variation in Olfactory Proteins: Evolvable Elements Encoding Insect Behavior VIII. The Future: The Molecular Basis of Pheromone Reception, the Molecular Basis of Behavior References 13. The Neurobiology of Pheromone Reception I. General Introduction II. Types of Neurophysiological Research and Methods III. Interpretation of Responses to Pheromone IV. What Do Single Sensillum Responses Tell Us about Primary Chemoreceptor Processes V. Interpretation of Electroantennograms The Electrical Equivalent Network of Antennae References 14. Chemical Studies of Pheromone Reception and Catabolism I. Introduction II. Methodology III. Specific Examples IV. Conclusion References 15. Molecular Mechanisms of Vertebrate Olfaction: Implications for Pheromone Biochemistry I. Introduction II. Olfactory Membrane Preparations III. Transductory Enzymes and Second Messengers IV. Ion Channels and Their Modulation V. Olfactory Receptor Proteins: Problems and Prospects References Index

About the Author :
Dr. Gary Blomquist works at the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the University of Nevada.