Lipid Mobilization and Acyl-Coenzyme A Dehydrogenase Abundance in the Postpharyngeal Gland of a Leaf-Cutting Ant

Autor(es)

Vieira, A. S. ; Bueno, O. C.

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: Sociobiology; v. 63, n. 4, p. 1005-1014, DEC 2016.
• Citações Web of Science: 1

Resumo

The postpharyngeal gland (PPG) in ants has a central role in lipid accumulation. Our objective was to investigate whether the PPG of workers of the leaf-cutting ant Atta sexdens rubropilosa (F.) performs lipid mobilization to the hemolymph, and to verify whether lipids in gland cells are in part oxidized to acetyl-CoA. Increased levels of fatty acids were observed in both the PPG and the hemolymph after 48 h of lipid supplementation. In contrast, after 120 h of lipid supplementation, fatty acid levels were reduced in the PPG and significantly increased in the hemolymph. The gland cells of the PPG of workers supplemented with lipids exhibited a high amount of Acyl-CoA dehydrogenase, and the lipids were in part beta-oxidized to Acetyl-CoA. These findings suggest that the PPG of A. sexdens rubropilosa workers mobilize fatty acids from their gland cells to the hemolymph. Further work will be needed to elucidate lipid transport from the hemolymph to other organs in this organism. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 12/12541-3 - Metabolismo lipídico das glândulas pós-faríngeas em Atta sexdens rubropilosa (Forel, 1908) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)
• Beneficiário: Alexsandro Santana Vieira
• Modalidade de apoio: Bolsas no Brasil - Pós-Doutorado