Article
Biology
Jerome Cortot, Jean-Pierre Farine, Matthew Cobb, Claude Everaerts, Jean-Francois Ferveur
Summary: This study investigated the biosynthesis and emission mechanisms of the pheromone cVA in male fruit flies. It was found that exposure to maternally transmitted cVA and microbes during early development significantly decreased cVA emission but not biosynthesis, emphasizing the importance of development in shaping adult physiology and behavior.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Xiaolu Wan, Peng Shen, Kai Shi, Jing Li, Fengming Wu, Chuan Zhou
Summary: Females increase aggression for mating opportunities and acquiring reproductive resources. Virgin female Drosophila exhibit high-frequency attacks towards mated females, which is regulated by the male-derived pheromone 11-cis-vaccenyl acetate (cVA). A neural circuit consisting of four orders of neurons mediates the cVA-induced aggression in Drosophila females, with the release of acetylcholine (ACh) by aSP-g neurons exciting pC1 neurons.
NEUROSCIENCE BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mohammed A. Khallaf, Rongfeng Cui, Jerrit Weissflog, Maide Erdogmus, Ales Svatos, Hany K. M. Dweck, Dario Riccardo Valenzano, Bill S. Hansson, Markus Knaden
Summary: Research on fruit flies using whole-genome sequences, chemical and behavioral data has revealed that sex pheromones and their associated olfactory channels evolve rapidly and independently to strengthen sexual isolation barriers between species.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Agronomy
Yaoyao Chen, Yuhua Zhang, Liying Yang, Wenlong Chen, Zhiyan Jiang, Ziwei Xiao, Xin Xie, Guohua Zhong, Xin Yi
Summary: In this study, the researchers found that the pheromone cis-vaccenyl acetate (cVA) plays a role in regulating mating behaviors in insect species other than Drosophila. The study also demonstrated that group housing conditions have positive effects on mating rates and cVA responses in B. dorsalis.
PEST MANAGEMENT SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Nan-Ji Jiang, Hetan Chang, Jerrit Weissflog, Franziska Eberl, Daniel Veit, Kerstin Weniger, Bill S. Hansson, Markus Knaden
Summary: Insect pheromones can be degraded by the air pollutant ozone. Jiang et al. show that ozone-exposed male flies lose their pheromones and become less attractive to females. Additionally, ozone-exposed males exhibited increased male-male courtship behaviour as a result of reduced sex recognition.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Biology
Colleen M. Palmateer, Catherina Artikis, Savannah G. Brovero, Benjamin Friedman, Alexis Gresham, Michelle N. Arbeitman
Summary: Reproductive behaviors in Drosophila melanogaster are controlled by fruitless neurons. Single-cell RNA sequencing on pupal neurons revealed sex-specific gene expression patterns, with over 113 distinct clusters identified. Marker gene analyses showed enrichment of specific functional groups, including circadian clock neurons, mushroom body Kenyon cells, neurotransmitter-producing neurons, and those expressing doublesex. The presence of both male and female neurons in most clusters suggests common gene expression programs, with sex-specific differences overlaying these programs to generate diverse behaviors.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Adalena Nanni, Natalie Martinez, Rita Graze, Alison Morse, Jeremy R. B. Newman, Vaibhav Jain, Srna Vlaho, Sarah Signor, Sergey Nuzhdin, Rolf Renne, Lauren M. McIntyre
Summary: In Drosophila melanogaster and D. simulans head tissue, a significant proportion of orthologous genes exhibit sex-biased expression, with similar expression directions conserved between the two species. The enrichment of specific chromatin marks, such as H3K4me3 and H3K27me2me3, is associated with sex-biased expression in both males and females. However, the presence of H3K27me2me3 reduces the correlation between sex-bias ratios in male-biased orthologs.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Zevelou Koza, Mohamad Ayajuddin, Abhik Das, Rahul Chaurasia, Limamanen Phom, Sarat Chandra Yenisetti
Summary: Sexual dysfunction (SD) is a common non-motor symptom of Parkinson's disease (PD) that is often overlooked. The mechanism of SD in PD is not well understood, but studies have shown that dopamine (DA) in the hypothalamus plays a role in regulating sexual behavior. In this study, a Drosophila melanogaster model of sporadic SD in PD was developed and observed based on abnormalities in courtship behavior markers. The model exhibited SD without mobility defects, and there was no observable degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the brain. This study sheds light on the molecular basis of SD in PD and provides an opportunity for screening potential therapeutic molecules.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Nobuaki K. Tanaka, Takashi Hirao, Hikaru Chida, Aki Ejima
Summary: The study revealed that the courtship behavior in male fruit flies is mediated by specific neurons, which respond to multimodal sensory stimuli and lead to a fixed sequence of behaviors. Furthermore, male flies are able to suppress or promote their courtship actions by receiving specific olfactory stimuli through neurons when in contact with females.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vincent Tolassy, Laurie Cazale-Debat, Benjamin Houot, Remy Reynaud, Jean-Marie Heydel, Jean-Francois Ferveur, Claude Everaerts
Summary: In insects, such as Drosophila melanogaster, flight guidance relies on multiple sensory information, including chemoperception. Previous studies have suggested that preimaginal exposure to maternal egg factors can affect adult courtship behavior. This study aimed to investigate whether a similar exposure could influence free-flight odor tracking in flies of both genders. The results showed that flies modulated their flight response, food landing, and preference based on sex, conditioning, and food choice. The study also revealed divergent volatile molecules in the labeled foods between sexes and species.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Ecology
Henrietta Holze, Lukas Schrader, Jan Buellesbach
Summary: Cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) in insects play crucial roles in desiccation protection and chemical communication systems, contributing to their evolutionary success. Research on CHCs has been predominantly focused on model organisms like Drosophila, limiting the comprehensive understanding of the genetic basis across wider phylogenetic boundaries. Recent studies are starting to explore more insect taxa, aiming to uncover the genetic mechanisms behind the diverse CHC compounds and their impact on insect behavior, physiology, and evolution.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Stephen X. Zhang, Ethan H. Glantz, Lauren E. Miner, Dragana Rogulja, Michael A. Crickmore
Summary: Sexual transition in male Drosophila is controlled by hormonal changes, which inhibit the activity of courtship-motivating circuit elements rather than constructing new neural circuits. Hormonal changes gate the transition to sexuality by permitting activity in latent motivational circuit elements in otherwise asexual males, similar to mammalian adolescence.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Haixia Zhan, Du Li, Youssef Dewer, Changying Niu, Fengqi Li, Chen Luo
Summary: The research found that male D. suzukii do not produce cVA, but their odorant receptor for cVA is still functional. The newly identified OBPs, DsOBP69a and DsOBP76a, were found not to bind to cVA, but showed high binding ability to floral odorants and bitter substances. This indicates potential different functional roles in olfaction and gustation for DsOBP69a and DsOBP76a.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Yu Pan, Wanzhen Li, Zhu Deng, Yihao Sun, Xianjue Ma, Ruijuan Liang, Xiaowei Guo, Ying Sun, Wenzhe Li, Renjie Jiao, Lei Xue
Summary: Despite natural selection, same-sex sexual attraction is common across animals. This study reveals that the proto-oncogene Myc inhibits male-male courtship in fruit flies by acting in dopaminergic neurons. This finding highlights the crucial roles of genetic factors in inter-male sexual behavior.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Daniel W. Bayless, Chung-ha O. Davis, Renzhi Yang, Yichao Wei, Vinicius Miessler de Andrade Carvalho, Joseph R. Knoedler, Taehong Yang, Oscar Livingston, Akira Lomvardas, Gabriela J. Martins, Ana Mafalda Vicente, Jun B. Ding, Liqun Luo, Nirao M. Shash
Summary: This study has identified a neural circuit that governs key aspects of innate male sexual behavior, including motor displays, drive, and reward. This circuit connects chemosensory input to neurons that regulate motor output and reward centers.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Thierry N. J. Fouquet, Robert B. Cody, Sayaka Nakamura, Hiroaki Sato, Takayuki Ohmura, Masahiro Kotani, Yasuhide Naito
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2020)
Letter
Biochemical Research Methods
Robert B. Cody
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY
(2020)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hannah E. Moore, Martin J. R. Hall, Falko P. Drijfhout, Robert B. Cody, Daniel Whitmore
Summary: Analysis of cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) in adult males and females of eleven species of flesh flies belonging to the genus Sarcophaga Meigen revealed species-specific and sexually dimorphic differences in CHC composition and quantity. CHC analysis can be used for identification and gender determination in insects.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Correction
Forestry
V. Deklerck, T. Mortier, N. Goeders, R. B. Cody, W. Waegeman, E. Espinoza, J. Van Acker, J. Van den Bulcke, H. Beeckman
WOOD SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Robert B. Cody
Summary: Organic acid salts have low volatility and are not ideal for DART-MS analysis, but addition of a strong acid can convert them to the free acid form to facilitate qualitative analysis.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Robert B. Cody
Summary: This study identifies spurious peaks in mass spectra caused by detector oscillation or ringing, and successfully removes detector oscillation and electronic noise peaks from database spectra of pure compounds and mixtures, without loss of chemical information.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Robert B. Cody, Takao Fukudome, Masaaki Ubukata
Summary: Rationale analysis of complex mixtures with GC/HRTOFMS can generate a large amount of data. A new software program has been developed to integrate and identify differences between sample analyses. By analyzing Scotch whisky samples, the software successfully identified small differences resulting from additional aging in sherry casks.
RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Kirk R. Jensen, A. John Dane, Robert B. Cody
Summary: By combining a low-pressure gas chromatography column with the enhanced selected reaction monitoring switching speed of the short collision cell, the analysis time for pesticides can be dramatically reduced while maintaining a similar separation efficiency.
RAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Allix M. Coon, A. John Dane, Gavin Setzen, Robert B. Cody, Rabi A. Musah
Summary: Earwax is a potential biological matrix for disease diagnostics, but its semisolid nature and high chemical complexity have made it difficult to investigate disease markers. Conventional analysis methods like GC-MS and LC-MS often yield unsatisfactory results due to the presence of many nonvolatile compounds, leading to the application of two-dimensional GC-MS for characterization without saponification. This study identified over 35 compounds in earwax for the first time and provided a foundation for future comparisons between healthy and diseased earwax.
Article
Medicine, Legal
Hannah Moore, Lena Lutz, Victoria Bernhardt, Falko P. Drijfhout, Robert B. Cody, Jens Amendt
Summary: Research has shown that social insects and Diptera have species-specific hydrocarbons on their cuticle, which can be a useful tool in Forensic Entomology. Analyzing the CHC chemical profiles of empty puparia from various fly species can help in species identification, as well as potentially indicate geographical differences. Different cuticular hydrocarbon profiles were found among the analyzed species, and even geographical locations could be determined from the chemical analysis.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LEGAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Robert B. Cody, O. David Sparkman, Hannah Moore
Summary: The NIST Mass Spectral Search Program is useful for creating searchable databases of chromatograms, allowing for matching of chromatograms against the database. This method provides an alternative for managing simple chromatographic databases when commercial software is not available.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Robert B. Cody
Summary: The study investigated the oxidation issue in nitrogen DART and proposed a solution to reduce oxidation phenomena by using a ceramic insulator cap with a narrow inner diameter.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY
(2022)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Robert B. Cody, Edgard O. Espinoza, Erin R. Price, Pamela J. McClure
Summary: By analyzing 3021 mass spectra from the ForeST database, it was found that there are significant differences in lignin peaks between hardwood angiosperms and coniferous gymnosperms. These differences can be used to accurately identify the source of finished wood products, providing support for enforcing trade laws.
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Krishnaja Tikkisetty, Taylor Filewood, Jeffrey Yan, Honoria Kwok, Pamela Brunswick, Robert Cody, Dayue Shang
Summary: In this study, a highly efficient oil identification method was developed using DART/TOFMS technology, which produced results similar to classical GC/FID and GC/MS/MS procedures in a much shorter time. This highlights the potential of DART/TOFMS as a new tool for oil spill forensic analysis.
ANALYTICAL METHODS
(2023)
Correction
Chemistry, Analytical
Roger W. Jones, Robert B. Cody, John F. McClelland
FORENSIC CHEMISTRY
(2021)