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Cloning and expression of a geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase gene: insights into the synthesis of termite defence secretion
Author(s) -
Hojo Masaru,
Matsumoto Tadao,
Miura Toru
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
insect molecular biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.955
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1365-2583
pISSN - 0962-1075
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2583.2007.00709.x
Subject(s) - biology , gene , cloning (programming) , complementary dna , atp synthase , biosynthesis , secretion , terpenoid , gene expression , biochemistry , in situ hybridization , gene family , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , computer science , programming language
In Nasutitermes takasagoensis , a termite in which soldiers perform specialized chemical defence, Nts19‐1 gene is highly expressed exclusively in soldier head. In this study, two types of transcripts for this gene were obtained, and the full‐length cDNAs were determined by rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE). These transcripts were putative homologues of the geranylgeranyl diphosphate (GGPP) synthase gene, involved in the condensation of dimethylallyl diphosphate with isopentenyl diphosphate in the isoprenoid biosynthetic pathway. The genes were thus termed NtGGPPS1. GGPP is a precursor of diterpenes in plants. In situ hybridization localized NtGGPPS1 expression to the epidermal secretory cells of the frontal gland reservoir where many kinds of diterpenes are produced, suggesting that NtGGPPS1 is involved in the biosynthesis of defence secretion.