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Zheng P, Gong Y, Wang B, Yu H, Huang S, Liao X, Jiang J, Ran J, Xie F. Love Hug-Functional Validation of Nuptial Pad-Secreted Pheromone in Anurans. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:1550. [PMID: 38891597 PMCID: PMC11171324 DOI: 10.3390/ani14111550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2024] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/18/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Chemical communication is an important mode of communication in the courtship and breeding processes of amphibians. In caudates, multiple components of sexual pheromones have been identified and functionally verified. One of these pheromone systems is plethodontid modulating factor (PMF). In anurans, the pheromone called amplexin was found in nuptial pads of ranids and was considered a member of the PMF system, yet its bio-function has not been tested. In this study, we obtained 18 amplexin transcript sequences from nuptial pads of Nidirana pleuraden (Amphibia, Ranidae) by transcriptome sequencing and found that the proteins translated by these transcripts are diversified, hydrophilic, and relatively stable. We also acquired a N. pleuraden amplexin isoform with the highest expression level in the transcriptome analysis through the prokaryotic expression system. Using two different animal behavioral experimental settings, we have tested the bio-function of the recombinant PMF protein (rPMF) in N. pleuraden's reproduction and found that the rPMF does not attract females but shortens the duration of amplexus significantly. This is the first study to verify the function of the PMF pheromone in Anura, indicating the pervasiveness of chemical communication during breeding in amphibians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Puyang Zheng
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China; (P.Z.); (B.W.); (H.Y.); (S.H.); (X.L.); (J.J.)
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China;
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yuzhou Gong
- Shanghai Natural History Museum, Branch of Shanghai Science & Technology Museum, Shanghai 200041, China;
- School of Life Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Bin Wang
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China; (P.Z.); (B.W.); (H.Y.); (S.H.); (X.L.); (J.J.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Haoqi Yu
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China; (P.Z.); (B.W.); (H.Y.); (S.H.); (X.L.); (J.J.)
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China;
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Sining Huang
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China; (P.Z.); (B.W.); (H.Y.); (S.H.); (X.L.); (J.J.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xun Liao
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China; (P.Z.); (B.W.); (H.Y.); (S.H.); (X.L.); (J.J.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jianping Jiang
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China; (P.Z.); (B.W.); (H.Y.); (S.H.); (X.L.); (J.J.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jianghong Ran
- Key Laboratory of Bio-Resources and Eco-Environment of Ministry of Education, College of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China;
| | - Feng Xie
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China; (P.Z.); (B.W.); (H.Y.); (S.H.); (X.L.); (J.J.)
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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Luna MC, Mcdiarmid RW, Faivovich J. From erotic excrescences to pheromone shots: structure and diversity of nuptial pads in anurans. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2018. [DOI: 10.1093/biolinnean/bly048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Maria Celeste Luna
- División Herpetología, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales ‘Bernardino Rivadavia’ – CONICET, Ángel Gallardo, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Roy W Mcdiarmid
- United States Geological Survey Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Division of Amphibians and Reptiles, National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Julian Faivovich
- División Herpetología, Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales ‘Bernardino Rivadavia’ – CONICET, Ángel Gallardo, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Alibardi L. The Process of Cornification Evolved From the Initial Keratinization in the Epidermis and Epidermal Derivatives of Vertebrates: A New Synthesis and the Case of Sauropsids. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CELL AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY 2016; 327:263-319. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.ircmb.2016.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Cytokeratin localization in toe pads of the anuran amphibian Philautus annandalii (Boulenger, 1906). Tissue Cell 2014; 46:165-9. [PMID: 24698093 DOI: 10.1016/j.tice.2014.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2013] [Revised: 01/16/2014] [Accepted: 03/10/2014] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
We have examined cytokeratin distribution and their nature in toe pads of the Himalayan tree-frog Philautus annandalii. Toe pads are expanded tips of digits and show modifications of their ventral epidermis for adhesion. The toe pad epidermal cells, being organized into 3-4 rows, possess keratin bundles, especially in surface nanostructures that are involved in adhesion. Immunohistochemical localization using a pan-cytokeratin antibody revealed that cytokeratin immunoreactivity is the strongest in the mid- to basal cell rows of the epidermis, which parallels our previous ultrastructural observation of dense keratin bundles present in this part of the epidermis. The remainder of the epidermis (i.e., the superficial cell layer) showed little immunoreactivity. Immunoblot analysis revealed that toe-pads possessed keratins prominently in the molecular mass of 50 kDa. Possible presence of keratin 5 in toe pad epidermis has been correlated with its usual distribution pattern in mammalian epidermis.
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Alibardi L. Cornification in the claw of the amphibianXenopus laevis(Pipidae, Anura) and comparison with claws in amniotes. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2010. [DOI: 10.1080/11250000903173395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Maddin HC, Eckhart L, Jaeger K, Russell AP, Ghannadan M. The anatomy and development of the claws of Xenopus laevis (Lissamphibia: Anura) reveal alternate pathways of structural evolution in the integument of tetrapods. J Anat 2010; 214:607-19. [PMID: 19422431 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7580.2009.01052.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Digital end organs composed of hard, modified epidermis, generally referred to as claws, are present in mammals and reptiles as well as in several non-amniote taxa such as clawed salamanders and frogs, including Xenopus laevis. So far, only the claws and nails of mammals have been characterized extensively and the question of whether claws were present in the common ancestor of all extant tetrapods is as yet unresolved. To provide a basis for comparisons between amniote and non-amniote claws, we investigated the development, growth and ultrastructure of the epidermal component of the claws of X. laevis. Histological examination of developing claws of X. laevis shows that claw formation is initiated at the tip of the toe by the appearance of superficial cornified cells that are dark brown. Subsequent accumulation of new, proximally extended claw sheath corneocyte layers increases the length of the claw. Histological studies of adult claws show that proliferation of cornifying claw sheath cells occurs along the entire length of the claw-forming epidermis. Living epidermal cells that are converting into the cornified claw sheath corneocytes undergo a form of programmed cell death that is accompanied by degradation of nuclear DNA. Subsequently, the cytoplasm and the nuclear remnants acquire a brown colour by an as-yet unknown mechanism that is likely homologous to the colouration mechanism that occurs in other hard, cornified structures of amphibians such as nuptial pads and tadpole beaks. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the cornified claw sheath consists of parallel layers of corneocytes with interdigitations being confined to intra-layer contacts and a cementing substance filling the intercorneocyte spaces. Together with recent reports that showed the main molecular components of amniote claws are absent in Xenopus, our data support the hypothesis that claws of amphibians likely represent clade-specific innovations, non-homologous to amniote claws.
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Alibardi L. Structural and Immunocytochemical Characterization of Keratinization in Vertebrate Epidermis and Epidermal Derivatives. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF CYTOLOGY 2006; 253:177-259. [PMID: 17098057 DOI: 10.1016/s0074-7696(06)53005-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
This review presents comparative aspects of epidermal keratinization in vertebrates, with emphasis on the evolution of the stratum corneum in land vertebrates. The epidermis of fish does not contain proteins connected with interkeratin matrix and corneous cell envelope formation. Mucus-like material glues loose keratin filaments. In amphibians a cell corneous envelope forms but matrix proteins, aside from mucus/glycoproteins, are scarce or absent. In reptiles, birds, and mammals specific proteins associated with keratin become relevant for the production of a resistant corneous layer. In reptiles some matrix, histidine-rich and sulfur-rich corneous cell envelope proteins are produced in the soft epidermis. In avian soft epidermis low levels of matrix and cornified proteins are present while lipids become abundant. In mammalian keratinocytes, interkeratin proteins, cornified cell envelope proteins, and transglutaminase are present. Topographically localized areas of dermal-epidermal interactions in amniote skin determine the formation of skin derivatives such as scales, feathers, and hairs. New types of keratin and associated proteins are produced in these derivatives. In reptiles and birds beta-keratins form the hard corneous material of scales, claws, beaks, and feathers. In mammals, small sulfur-rich and glycine-tyrosine-rich proteins form the corneous material of hairs, horns, hooves, and claws. Molecular studies on reptilian beta-keratins show they are glycine-rich proteins. They have C- and N-terminal amino acid regions homologous to those of mammalian proteins and a central core with homology to avian scale/feather keratins. These findings suggest that ancient reptiles already possessed some common genes that later diversified to produce some keratin-associated protein in extant reptiles and birds, and others in mammals. The evolution of these small proteins represents the more recent variation of the process of cornification in vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenzo Alibardi
- Department of Experimental and Evolutionary Biology, University of Bologna, 40126 Bologna, Italy
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Abstract
The nuptial pad, a cutaneous secondary sexual characteristic, developed on the ventrolateral aspect of the first digit (the thumb) of the male ranid frogs was observed. Under scanning electron microscopy, numerous small elevations were observed rising above the pad's surface; they were rounded in Rana brevipoda porosa and R. rugosa, conical in R. nigromaculata, and rather tall and gradually tapering in R. ornativentris. These elevations were densely crowded, and in some cases several elevations were seen to have fused to form ridges in the R. rugosa pads. Accessory microprocesses completely covered the outermost layer of cells of the elevations. Numerous pile-like microprocesses gradually shortened from the top toward the side of the elevation in R. ornativentris and R. nigromaculata. Those on the top were noticeably longer than those on the side in R. rugosa. The bundles of thick processes radically projected above the top in R. brevipoda porosa. In R. brevipoda porosa nuptial pads were observed under transmission electron microscopy, and the outermost monolayer cells of an elevation were usually keratinized, devoid of organelles and containing closely packed, fine filaments within a dense matrix. The accessory processes also contained dense fibrous matrices.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Kurabuchi
- Department of Histology, School of Dentistry, Nippon Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
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