Biosynthesis and Pathway Regulation

Singh BK, Shaner DL (1992) Carbon flow through branched-chain amino acid biosynthetic pathway lessons from acetohydroxy acid synthase inhibitors. In Singh BK, Flores HE, Shannon JC (eds) Biosynthesis and molecular regulation of amino acids in plants. American Society of Plant Physiologists, Maryland, p 354... 

The biosynthesis and endocrine regulation of pheromone production in beetles has been reviewed [33, 34]. Nevertheless, some more general pathways will be briefly discussed here. As corresponding structures are widespread among insects [2], the examples shown here are selected mostly from taxa other than beetles. Structures representing beetle pheromones will be shown in the context of the discussion of the corresponding species. 

At the site of a pheromone-producing tissue in an insect, pheromone biosynthesis ultimately depends on the regulation of certain biosynthetic enzyme activity(ies) in those tissues and/or the regulation therein of gene expression for the biosynthetic enzymes. Studies of the biosynthesis and endocrine regulation of insect pheromones have been a recent contribution to the broad discipline of chemical ecology. Pheromones are important mediators of communication for bacteria, plants, and animals in their surroundings. As far as biosynthetic pathways and endocrine... 

Ethylene is amongst the best known plant hormones because of the extensive biochemical and molecular studies on its biosynthesis and its regulation. Ethylene is synthesized in both higher plants and microorganisms, but via different biosynthetic pathways. 

The Shikimate Pathway, Conn, E. E., Ed. Plenum New York, NY, 1974. Herrmann, K.M. In Amino Acids Biosynthesis and Genetic Regulation Herrmann, K.M. Somerville, R.L., Eds. Addison-Wesley Reading, MA, 1983, Chap. 17. 

Abstract Pheromones are utilized by many insects in a complex chemical communication system. This review will look at the biosynthesis of sex and aggregation pheromones in the model insects, moths, flies, cockroaches, and beetles. The biosynthetic pathways involve altered pathways of normal metabolism of fatty acids and isoprenoids. Endocrine regulation of the biosynthetic pathways will also be reviewed for the model insects. A neuropeptide named pheromone biosynthesis activating neuropeptide regulates sex pheromone biosynthesis in moths. Juvenile hormone regulates pheromone production in the beetles and cockroaches, while 20-hydroxyecdysone regulates pheromone production in the flies. 

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