Insect Science (2022) 29, 453-466

Nanxia Fu, Tobias Becker, Wolfgang Brandt, Maritta Kunert, Antje Burse and Wilhelm Boland (2022)
Involvement of CYP347W1 in neurotoxin 3-nitropropionic acid-based chemical defense in mustard leaf beetle Phaedon cochleariae
Insect Science 29 (2), 453-466
Abstract: Chrysomelina beetles store 3-nitropropionic acid in form of a pretoxin, isoxazolin-5-one glucoside-conjugated ester, to protect themselves against predators. Here we identified a cytochrome P450 monooxygenase, CYP347W1, to be involved in the production of the 3-nitropropionic acid moiety of the isoxazolin-5-one glucoside ester. Knocking down CYP347W1 led to a significant depletion in the concentration of the isoxazolin-5-one glucoside ester and an increase in the concentration of the isoxazolin-5-one glucoside in the larval hemolymph. Enzyme assays with the heterologously expressed CYP347W1 showed free â-alanine was not the direct substrate. Homology modeling indicated that â-alanine-CoA ester can fit into CYP347W1 's active site. Furthermore, we proved that Phaedon cochleariae eggs are not able to de novo synthesize 3-NPA, although both isoxazolin-5-one glucoside and its 3-NPA-conjugated ester are present in the eggs. These results provide direct evidence for the involvement of CYP347W1 in the biosynthesis of a P. cochleariae chemical defense compound.
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Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
resistance/tolerance/defence of host

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Phaedon cochleariae