NATURAL POLYESTERS - DUFOURS GLAND MACROCYCLIC LACTONES FORM BROOD CELL LAMINESTERS IN COLLETES BEES

被引:80
作者
HEFETZ, A [1 ]
FALES, HM [1 ]
BATRA, SWT [1 ]
机构
[1] USDA SEA,BELTSVILLE AGR RES CTR,INST INSECT IDENTIFICAT & BENEFICIAL INSECT INTRODUCT,BELTSVILLE,MD 20705
关键词
D O I
10.1126/science.204.4391.415
中图分类号
O [数理科学和化学]; P [天文学、地球科学]; Q [生物科学]; N [自然科学总论];
学科分类号
07 ; 0710 ; 09 ;
摘要
Bees in the genus Colletes make their brood cells in the ground and coat them with a highly resistant, waterproof, transparent membrane. This membrane is a polyester constructed mainly from 18-hydroxyoctadecanoic acid and 20-hydroxyeicosanoic acid, which are stored as their corresponding lactones in the Dufour's gland of the bee. When lining the cells, the bee secretes its glandular content, and the membrane is apparently a product of polycondensation reaction of its contents. This appears to be the first report of a naturally occurring linear polyester. The term laminester (lamina ≃ layer + ester) for this class of compounds is proposed. Copyright © 1979 AAAS.
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页码:415 / 417
页数:3
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