Male Esterase 6 Catalyzes the Synthesis of a Sex Pheromone in Drosophila melanogaster Females

Esterase 6, a component of the seminal fluid of Drosophila melanogaster males, hydrolyzes cis-vaccenyl acetate, a lipid made only by males, to cis-vaccenyl alcohol. This reaction occurs in the female reproductive tract and is virtually complete within 6 hours after copulation. Both the alcohol and t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 1983-10, Vol.222 (4622), p.419-421
Main Authors: Mane, Suresh D., Tompkins, Laurie, Richmond, Rollin C.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acetates
Alcohols
Animal sexual behavior
Animal sexual behaviour
Biochemistry. Physiology. Immunology
Biological and medical sciences
Biological research
Biology, Experimental
Drosophila
Drosophila melanogaster
Drosophilidae
Enzymes
Female animals
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Genetic research
Hydrolysis
Insecta
Invertebrates
Male animals
Mating behavior
Metabolic regulation
Physiology. Development
Reproductive tract infections
Sexual behavior in animals
Sexual recognition (Zoology)
Spermatozoa
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Summary:Esterase 6, a component of the seminal fluid of Drosophila melanogaster males, hydrolyzes cis-vaccenyl acetate, a lipid made only by males, to cis-vaccenyl alcohol. This reaction occurs in the female reproductive tract and is virtually complete within 6 hours after copulation. Both the alcohol and the acetate decrease the number of matings among pairs of virgin flies in which the female is treated topically with these substances. Although females tested 10 minutes after copulation elicit less courtship than virgin females, females tested 6 hours after copulation stimulate even less courtship if they received active esterase 6 in the seminal fluid of their respective mates. Either the alcohol or a derivative appears to be an antiaphrodisiac that decreases courtship elicited by inseminated females and thus reduces the probability of further mating. Thus the activity of the pheromone depends on a final reaction which occurs in the female, using both substrate and enzyme provided by the male.
ISSN:0036-8075
1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.222.4622.419