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Metabolism of polyunsaturated fatty acids by larvae of the waxmoth, Galleria mellonella
Author(s) -
StanleySamuelson David W.,
Jurenka Russell A.,
Loher Werner,
Blomquist Gary J.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
archives of insect biochemistry and physiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.576
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1520-6327
pISSN - 0739-4462
DOI - 10.1002/arch.940060302
Subject(s) - galleria mellonella , polyunsaturated fatty acid , arachidonic acid , linoleic acid , biochemistry , biology , metabolism , eicosapentaenoic acid , polyol , phospholipid , unsaturated fatty acid , linolenic acid , oxylipin , biosynthesis , fatty acid , chemistry , enzyme , organic chemistry , membrane , virulence , gene , polyurethane
The metabolic fates of linoleic (18:2n6) and linolenic (18:3n3) acids injected into the hemocoel of fifth instar larvae of the waxmoth, Galleria mellonella , were examined by radio‐high‐pressure liquid chromatography and radio‐gas‐liquid chromatography. In addition to undergoing β‐oxidation and incorporation into neutral and phospholipid fractions, a portion of both of these C18 fatty acids was elongated and desaturated to longer chain and more unsaturated polyenoics. Radioactivity from linoleic acid was recovered in components that coeluted with 18:3, 18:4, 20:3, and 20:4. Radioactivity from linolenic acid was recovered in an unidentified component and in components that coeluted with 18:4, 20:3, and 20:5. Labeled arachidonic and eicosapentaenoic acids injected into waxmoth larvae were converted to prostaglandins, suggesting that one aspect of the biological significance of the elongation/desaturation reactions is to generate precursors for prostaglandin biosynthesis.