Ascarosides as nematode sex pheromones
Inventors
Teal, Peter E. A. • Alborn, Hans T. • Sternberg, Paul W. • Srinivasan, Jagan • Edison, Arthur S. • Kaplan, Fatma • Schroeder, Frank C.
Assignees
Pheronym Inc • California Institute of Technology • US Department of Agriculture USDA • University of Florida Research Foundation Inc • Boyce Thompson Institute
Publication Number
US-8318146-B1
Publication Date
2012-11-27
Expiration Date
2029-01-30
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Abstract
A pheromonal compound produced by Caenorhabditis elegans has been identified as 5R-(3′-O-[β-D-glucosyl]-tetrahydro-3′R,5′R-dihydroxy-6′S-methyl-2H-pyran-2′R-yloxy)-2-hexanone. The novel compound, in combination with other ascarosides, elicit a synergistic signaling response from various adult male Caenorhabditis spp.
Core Innovation
The invention identifies a novel pheromonal compound produced by Caenorhabditis elegans as 5R-(3′-O-[β-D-glucosyl]-tetrahydro-3′R,5′R-dihydroxy-6′S-methyl-2H-pyran-2′R-yloxy)-2-hexanone. This compound, when combined with other ascarosides, elicits a synergistic signaling response that attracts adult male nematodes from various Caenorhabditis species.
The problem addressed is the lack of known signal molecules beyond those inducing dauer formation in Caenorhabditis elegans, specifically the need for a sex pheromone that can attract male nematodes. Such a sex pheromone could be exploited to trap and reduce populations of plant- or animal-parasitic nematodes or to attract entomopathogenic nematodes as biocontrol agents against insect pests. There exists a need to determine whether such a signaling attractant exists for nematodes.
The invention provides a method for attracting adult male nematodes by applying an effective amount of ascaroside compounds to a locus, particularly a combination including 5R-(Tetrahydro-3′R,5′R-dihydroxy-6′S-methyl-2H-pyran-2′R-yloxy)-2-hexanone, 8R-(Tetrahydro-3′R,5′R-dihydroxy-6′S-methyl-2H-pyran-2′R-yloxy)-2E-nonenoic acid, and 5R-(3′-O-[β-D-glucosyl]-tetrahydro-3′R,5′R-dihydroxy-6′S-methyl-2H-pyran-2′R-yloxy)-2-hexanone. The combination acts synergistically to enhance male nematode attraction, and specific molar ratios for effective attraction are disclosed.
Claims Coverage
The claims include one independent claim directed to the novel chemical compound and another independent claim directed to a method for attracting adult male nematodes using a combination of ascarosides. Overall, there are two independent claims focusing on the compound itself and its use in nematode attraction methods.
Novel pheromonal compound
The compound 5R-(3′-O-[β-D-glucosyl]-tetrahydro-3′R,5′R-dihydroxy-6′S-methyl-2H-pyran-2′R-yloxy)-2-hexanone.
Combination of ascarosides that attract male nematodes
Use of the compound in combination with other ascarosides to attract adult male Caenorhabditis elegans.
Method for attracting adult male nematodes using specific ascaroside combinations
Applying an effective amount of a combination of ascarosides selected from 5R-(Tetrahydro-3′R,5′R-dihydroxy-6′S-methyl-2H-pyran-2′R-yloxy)-2-hexanone, 8R-(Tetrahydro-3′R,5′R-dihydroxy-6′S-methyl-2H-pyran-2′R-yloxy)-2E-nonenoic acid, and 5R-(3′-O-[β-D-glucosyl]-tetrahydro-3′R,5′R-dihydroxy-6S-methyl-2H-pyran-2′R-yloxy)-2-hexanone to a locus to attract adult male nematodes.
Specific molar ratio for effective nematode attraction
The ascarosides applied in an approximate molar ratio of 20 fmol : 20 fmol : 1 pmol for 5R-(Tetrahydro-3′R,5′R-dihydroxy-6′S-methyl-2H-pyran-2′R-yloxy)-2-hexanone, 8R-(Tetrahydro-3′R,5′R-dihydroxy-6′S-methyl-2H-pyran-2′R-yloxy)-2E-nonenoic acid, and 5R-(3′-O-[β-D-glucosyl]-tetrahydro-3′R,5′R-dihydroxy-6′S-methyl-2H-pyran-2′R-yloxy)-2-hexanone, respectively.
Method for attracting adult male Caenorhabditis spp. using single ascarosides with a carrier
Applying an effective amount of either 8R-(Tetrahydro-3′R,5′R-dihydroxy-6′S-methyl-2H-pyran-2′R-yloxy)-2E-nonenoic acid or 5R-(Tetrahydro-3′R,5′R-dihydroxy-6′S-methyl-2H-pyran-2′R-yloxy)-2-hexanone in combination with a suitable carrier to attract adult male Caenorhabditis species.
The claims cover the novel compound itself, its use in combination with other ascarosides for synergistic attraction of adult male nematodes, and specific methods for applying these compounds in effective amounts and ratios to attract Caenorhabditis spp., including both combinations and individual ascarosides with carriers.
Stated Advantages
The combination of specific ascarosides elicits a synergistic signaling response that more effectively attracts adult male nematodes than individual compounds alone.
The novel compound and its combinations provide a method to attract adult male nematodes from multiple Caenorhabditis species.
Ascarosides identified offer potential to control parasitic nematode populations by attracting males, thus aiding biocontrol efforts.
Documented Applications
Attracting adult male Caenorhabditis nematodes to a locus by applying an effective amount of specific ascaroside compounds or combinations thereof.
Reducing populations of plant- or animal-parasitic nematodes by attracting adult males using ascaroside-based pheromones.
Attracting entomopathogenic nematodes to protect plants against insect pests through the use of nematode pheromones.
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