The research group of the Industrial Technology Research Institute, in collaboration with Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Nagoya Institute of Technology, and Tokyo University of Agriculture, identified the main components of the ultraviolet reflective wax secreted by Orthetrum albisum.Wax is chemically synthesized to achieve UV reflectivity and water repellency.

 Various animals and plants on the earth reflect ultraviolet rays on their body surfaces.This is important for visual communication and protection from UV rays.However, there were many unclear points regarding the chemical composition of UV-reflecting substances and the genes involved in the production of UV-reflecting structures.This time, the research group worked on research on UV-reflecting wax secreted by mature males of Orthetrum albisum.

 As a result, it was found that the main components were 3 types of ultra-long chain methyl ketone and 4 types of ultra-long chain aldehyde.Such a main component wax was not found in other organisms and had a special composition for Orthetrum albisum.In addition, analysis of closely related species revealed that the wax composition and reflectance differed depending on the dragonfly species, male and female, and abdominal region.Species that are active in the sun tend to have higher UV reflectance, which is related to their habitat and behavior.

 In addition, when the ultra-long chain methyl ketone was chemically synthesized and recrystallized, a fine structure similar to the body surface of a dragonfly was self-organized, and strong ultraviolet reflectivity and water repellency were reproduced.In addition, analysis identified the ELOVL17 gene, which has a strong correlation with wax production, in the dorsal abdomen of semi-mature males.This gene belongs to the gene family involved in the synthesis of extremely long-chain fatty acids, and is considered to be a promising candidate for the gene responsible for the synthesis of UV-reflecting wax.

 UV reflective wax may be used as a new material of biological origin in the future.In the future, the ecological characteristics of the UV-reflecting wax of Orthetrum albisum, including stability and antibacterial properties, will be investigated in detail.

Paper information:[ELife] Molecular basis of wax-based color change and UV reflection in dragonflies

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