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Ramachandran R, Sankarganesh D, Suriyakalaa U, Aathmanathan VS, Angayarkanni J, Achiraman S. Interplay of hormones and metabolite excretion with fern pattern prove saliva as a potent indicator of male reproductive status in Kangayam breed cattle. Trop Anim Health Prod 2024; 56:155. [PMID: 38727965 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-024-03990-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
Kangayam cattle are one of the drought breeds in India with distinct attributes. Agricultural transformation has led to a decline in many pure-breed indigenous cattle, including the Kangayam breed. Hence, a study on the reproductive physiology of male Kangayam breed cattle is necessary to disentangle problems in the area of livestock improvement. In this study, we investigated the relationship between serum hormones and bio-constituents and ascertained the potential of saliva as an indicator of the reproductive status of Kangayam cattle (Bos indicus). The present study confirms that cholesterol was higher in intact males and lower in prepubertal and castrated males. Testosterone levels were also higher in intact males than in castrated or prepubertal males. Hence, it can be inferred that high cholesterol levels contribute to active derivatization of testosterone in intact males. In contrast, reduced cholesterol availability leads to decreased testosterone synthesis in castrated and prepubertal males. Furthermore, it is reasonable to speculate that testosterone could have influenced salivary fern patterns in intact males, and thus, fern-like crystallization in the saliva was apparent. The unique salivary compounds identified through GC-MS across various reproductive statuses of Kangayam males may advertise their physiological status to conspecifics. In addition, the presence of odorant-binding protein (OBP) in saliva further supports its role in olfactory communication. This study attested to a posssible interlink between gonadal status and serum biochemical profiles. The salivary fern pattern revealed in this study can be used as a predictive tool, and the presence of putative volatiles and OBP adds evidence to the role of saliva in chemical communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajamanickam Ramachandran
- Department of Biotechnology, Srimad Andavan Arts and Science College (Autonomous), Tiruchirappalli, Tamilnadu, 620005, India.
| | - Devaraj Sankarganesh
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Bio Sciences and Technology (SBST), Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT), Vellore, Tamilnadu, 632014, India
| | | | | | - Jayaraman Angayarkanni
- Department of Microbial Biotechnology, Bharathiar University, Coimbatore, Tamilnadu, 641046, India
| | - Shanmugam Achiraman
- Department of Environmental Biotechnology, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamilnadu, 620024, India.
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Sankarganesh D, Balasundaram A, Doss C GP, Azhwar R, Achiraman S, Archunan G. Mechanistic Insights into the Binding of Boar Salivary Pheromones and Putative Molecule with Receptor Proteins: A Comparative Computational Approach. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:4986-5001. [PMID: 38313522 PMCID: PMC10831833 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.3c09211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2023] [Revised: 12/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
Precise estrus detection in sows is pivotal in increasing the productivity within the pork industry. Sows in estrus exhibit exclusive behaviors when exposed to either a live boar or the steroid pheromones androstenone and androstenol. Recently, a study employing solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry has identified a novel salivary molecule in boars, known as quinoline. This finding has intriguing implications as a synthetic mixture of androstenone, androstenol, and quinoline induces estrus behaviors in sows. Nevertheless, the precise pheromonal characteristics of quinoline remain elusive. In this study, we validate and compare the binding efficiency of androstenone, androstenol, and quinoline with porcine olfactory receptor proteins (odorant-binding protein [OBP], pheromaxein, salivary lipocalin [SAL], and Von Ebner's gland protein [VEGP]) using molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. All protein-ligand complexes demonstrated stability, as evidenced by the root-mean-square deviation (RMSD), root-mean-square fluctuation (RMSF), radius of gyration (Rg), solvent-accessible surface area (SASA), and hydrogen-bond (H-bond) plots. Furthermore, quinoline displayed higher binding efficiency with OBP, measured at -85.456 ± 8.268 kJ/mol, compared to androstenone and androstenol, as determined by molecular mechanics-Poisson-Boltzmann surface area (MM-PBSA) calculations. Conversely, quinoline exhibited a lower binding efficacy when interacting with SAL, pheromaxein, and VEGP compared to androstenone and androstenol. These findings, in part, suggest the binding possibility of quinoline with carrier proteins and warrant further investigation to support the role of quinoline in porcine chemical communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devaraj Sankarganesh
- School
of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore
Institute of Technology, Vellore 632014, Tamilnadu, India
| | - Ambritha Balasundaram
- School
of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore
Institute of Technology, Vellore 632014, Tamilnadu, India
| | - George Priya Doss C
- School
of Bio Sciences and Technology, Vellore
Institute of Technology, Vellore 632014, Tamilnadu, India
| | - Raghunath Azhwar
- Department
of Pediatrics, University of Michigan School
of Medicine, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, United States
| | - Shanmugam Achiraman
- Department
of Environmental Biotechnology, Bharathidasan
University, Tiruchirappalli 620024, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Govindaraju Archunan
- School
of Life Sciences, Marudupandiyar College, Thanjavur 613403, Tamil Nadu, India
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3
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Akula S, Welinder C, Fu Z, Olsson AK, Hellman L. Identification of the Major Protein Components of Human and Cow Saliva. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:16838. [PMID: 38069163 PMCID: PMC10705902 DOI: 10.3390/ijms242316838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Cows produce saliva in very large quantities to lubricate and facilitate food processing. Estimates indicate an amount of 50-150 L per day. Human saliva has previously been found to contain numerous antibacterial components, such as lysozyme, histatins, members of the S-100 family and lactoferrin, to limit pathogen colonization. Cows depend on a complex microbial community in their digestive system for food digestion. Our aim here was to analyze how this would influence the content of their saliva. We therefore sampled saliva from five humans and both nose secretions and saliva from six cows and separated the saliva on SDS-PAGE gradient gels and analyzed the major protein bands with LC-MS/MS. The cow saliva was found to be dominated by a few major proteins only, carbonic anhydrase 6, a pH-stabilizing enzyme and the short palate, lung and nasal epithelium carcinoma-associated protein 2A (SPLUNC2A), also named bovine salivary protein 30 kDa (BSP30) or BPIFA2B. This latter protein has been proposed to play a role in local antibacterial response by binding bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPSs) and inhibiting bacterial growth but may instead, according to more recent data, primarily have surfactant activity. Numerous peptide fragments of mucin-5B were also detected in different regions of the gel in the MS analysis. Interestingly, no major band on gel was detected representing any of the antibacterial proteins, indicating that cows may produce them at very low levels that do not harm the microbial flora of their digestive system. The nose secretions of the cows primarily contained the odorant protein, a protein thought to be involved in enhancing the sense of smell of the olfactory receptors and the possibility of quickly sensing potential poisonous food components. High levels of secretory IgA were also found in one sample of cow mouth drippings, indicating a strong upregulation during an infection. The human saliva was more complex, containing secretory IgA, amylase, carbonic anhydrase 6, lysozyme, histatins and a number of other less abundant proteins, indicating a major difference to the saliva of cows that show very low levels of antibacterial components, most likely to not harm the microbial flora of the rumen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srinivas Akula
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, The Biomedical Center, Box 596, SE-751 24 Uppsala, Sweden; (S.A.); (Z.F.)
| | - Charlotte Welinder
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Division of Mass Spectrometry, Lund University, SE-221 00 Lund, Sweden;
| | - Zhirong Fu
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, The Biomedical Center, Box 596, SE-751 24 Uppsala, Sweden; (S.A.); (Z.F.)
| | - Anna-Karin Olsson
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, The Biomedical Center, Box 582, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden;
| | - Lars Hellman
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Uppsala University, The Biomedical Center, Box 596, SE-751 24 Uppsala, Sweden; (S.A.); (Z.F.)
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Durairaj R, Pageat P, Bienboire-Frosini C. Impact of Semiochemicals Binding to Fel d 1 on Its 3D Conformation and Predicted B-Cell Epitopes Using Computational Approaches. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:11685. [PMID: 37511444 PMCID: PMC10380945 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241411685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The major cat allergen Fel d 1 is a tetrameric glycoprotein from the secretoglobin superfamily. Fel d 1's biological role is unknown, but it has been previously shown that it participates in semiochemical binding/transportation. Fel d 1 has linear epitopes, but its conformational epitope sites remain unclear. In this study, we predicted the B-cell epitopes of Fel d 1 and explored semiochemical dynamics with epitopes using bioinformatics tools. The epitope residues were tabulated for chains 1 and 2 and the heterodimers of Fel d 1. The residual interactions of Fel d 1 with IgE were evaluated, and the prominent epitope sites were predicted. The molecular dynamics simulation (MDS) of Fel d 1 was performed with seven reported semiochemicals to evaluate the Fel d 1-ligand complex stability and decipher the semiochemical effect on Fel d 1 conformational epitopes. Fel d 1-lauric acid, Fel d 1-oleic acid, and Fel d 1-progesterone showed more stability and less fluctuation than other compounds. Fel d 1-linoleic acid and Fel d 1-pregnenolone displayed the most unstable complex with fluctuations. The effects of conformational changes on epitopes are discussed. All the ligand complexes drive substantial fluctuation towards the functionally exposed IgE-binding epitopes. Fel d 1 could be examined for its ligand-binding and conformational changes caused by mutations of B-cell epitopes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajesh Durairaj
- Department of Bioinformatics and Chemical Communication (D-BICC), Research Institute in Semiochemistry and Applied Ethology (IRSEA), Quartier Salignan, 84400 Apt, France
| | - Patrick Pageat
- Research and Education Board, Research Institute in Semiochemistry and Applied Ethology (IRSEA), Quartier Salignan, 84400 Apt, France
| | - Cécile Bienboire-Frosini
- Department of Molecular Biology and Chemical Communication (D-BMCC), Research Institute in Semiochemistry and Applied Ethology (IRSEA), Quartier Salignan, 84400 Apt, France
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Silva L, Antunes A. Omics and Remote Homology Integration to Decipher Protein Functionality. Methods Mol Biol 2023; 2627:61-81. [PMID: 36959442 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-2974-1_4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/25/2023]
Abstract
In the recent years, several "omics" technologies based on specific biomolecules (from DNA, RNA, proteins, or metabolites) have won growing importance in the scientific field. Despite each omics possess their own laboratorial protocols, they share a background of bioinformatic tools for data integration and analysis. A recent subset of bioinformatic tools, based on available templates or remote homology protocols, allow computational fast and high-accuracy prediction of protein structures. The quickly predict of actually unsolved protein structures, together with late omics findings allow a boost of scientific advances in multiple fields such as cancer, longevity, immunity, mitochondrial function, toxicology, drug design, biosensors, and recombinant protein engineering. In this chapter, we assessed methodological approaches for the integration of omics and remote homology inferences to decipher protein functionality, opening the door to the next era of biological knowledge.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliana Silva
- CIIMAR/CIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Agostinho Antunes
- CIIMAR/CIMAR, Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
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Singh LK, Pandey M, Baithalu RK, Fernandes A, Ali SA, Jaiswal L, Pannu S, Neeraj, Mohanty TK, Kumaresan A, Datta TK, Kumar S, Mohanty AK. Comparative Proteome Profiling of Saliva Between Estrus and Non-Estrus Stages by Employing Label-Free Quantitation (LFQ) and Tandem Mass Tag (TMT)-LC-MS/MS Analysis: An Approach for Estrus Biomarker Identification in Bubalus bubalis. Front Genet 2022; 13:867909. [PMID: 35754844 PMCID: PMC9217162 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.867909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/05/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Accurate determination of estrus is essentially required for efficient reproduction management of farm animals. Buffalo is a shy breeder and does not manifest overt signs of estrus that make estrus detection difficult resulting in a poor conception rate. Therefore, identifying estrus biomarkers in easily accessible biofluid such as saliva is of utmost interest. In the current study, we generated saliva proteome profiles during proestrus (PE), estrus (E), metestrus (ME), and diestrus (DE) stages of the buffalo estrous cycle using both label-free quantitation (LFQ) and labeled (TMT) quantitation and mass spectrometry analysis. A total of 520 proteins were identified as DEPs in LFQ; among these, 59 and four proteins were upregulated (FC ≥ 1.5) and downregulated (FC ≤ 0.5) during E vs. PE, ME, and DE comparisons, respectively. Similarly, TMT-LC-MS/MS analysis identified 369 DEPs; among these, 74 and 73 proteins were upregulated and downregulated during E vs. PE, ME, and DE stages, respectively. Functional annotations of GO terms showed enrichment of glycolysis, pyruvate metabolism, endopeptidase inhibitor activity, salivary secretion, innate immune response, calcium ion binding, oocyte meiosis, and estrogen signaling. Over-expression of SERPINB1, HSPA1A, VMO1, SDF4, LCN1, OBP, and ENO3 proteins during estrus was further confirmed by Western blotting. This is the first comprehensive report on differential proteome analysis of buffalo saliva between estrus and non-estrus stages. This study generated an important panel of candidate proteins that may be considered buffalo estrus biomarkers which can be applied in the development of a diagnostic kit for estrus detection in buffalo.
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The Exoproteome of Staphylococcus pasteuri Isolated from Cervical Mucus during the Estrus Phase in Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12030450. [PMID: 35327642 PMCID: PMC8946806 DOI: 10.3390/biom12030450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2022] [Revised: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacterial extracellular proteins participate in the host cell communication by virtue of the modulation of pathogenicity, commensalism and mutualism. Studies on the microbiome of cervical mucus of the water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) have shown the occurrence of Staphylococcus pasteuri and that the presence of this bacterium is indicative of various physiological and reproductive states in the host. Recently, S. pasteuri has been isolated from the cervical mucus of the buffalo during the different phases of estrous cycle, and has proved to be much more pronounced during the estrus phase. The basis underlying the availability of a significantly increased S. pasteuri population, specifically during the estrus phase, is not known. Consequently, it is important to determine the significance of the specific abundance of S. pasteuri during the estrus phase of the buffalo host, particularly from the perspective of whether this bacterial species is capable of contributing to sexual communication via its extracellular proteins and volatiles. Therefore, the relevance of S. pasteuri exoproteome in the buffalo cervical mucus during the estrus phase was analyzed using LC-MS/MS. As many as 219 proteins were identified, among which elongation factor Tu (EF-Tu), 60-kDa chaperonin (Cpn60), enolase, fructose-bisphosphate aldolase class 1 (FBP aldolase), enoyl-[acyl-carrier-protein] reductase [NADPH] (ENR) and lipoprotein (Lpp) were the functionally important candidates. Most of the proteins present in the exoproteome of S. pasteuri were those involved in cellular–metabolic functions, as well as catalytic- and binding activities. Moreover, computational studies of Lpp have shown enhanced interaction with volatiles such as acetic-, butanoic-, isovaleric- and valeric acids, which were identified in the cervical mucus S. pasteuri culture supernatant. The present findings suggest that S. pasteuri extracellular proteins may play an important role in buffalo sexual communication during the estrus phase.
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8
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Pelosi P, Knoll W. Odorant-binding proteins of mammals. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2022; 97:20-44. [PMID: 34480392 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) of vertebrates belong to the lipocalin superfamily and perform a dual function: solubilizing and ferrying volatile pheromones to the olfactory receptors, and complexing the same molecules in specialized glands and assisting their release into the environment. Within vertebrates, to date they have been reported only in mammals, apart from two studies on amphibians. Based on the small number of OBPs expressed in each species, on their sites of production outside the olfactory area and their presence in biological fluids known to be pheromone carriers, such as urine, saliva and sexual secretions, we conclude that OBPs of mammals are specifically dedicated to pheromonal communication. This assumption is further supported by the observation that some OBPs present in biological secretions are endowed with their own pheromonal activity, adding renewed interest to these proteins. Another novel piece of evidence is the recent discovery that glycosylation and phosphorylation can modulate the binding activity of these proteins, improving their affinity to pheromones and narrowing their specificity. A comparison with insects and other arthropods shows a completely different scenario. While mammalian OBPs are specifically tuned to pheromones, those of insects, which are completely different in sequence and structure, include carriers for general odorants in addition to those dedicated to pheromones. Additionally, whereas mammals adopted a single family of carrier proteins for chemical communication, insects and other arthropods are endowed with several families of semiochemical-binding proteins. Here, we review the literature on the structural and functional properties of vertebrate OBPs, summarize the most interesting new findings and suggest possible exciting future developments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Pelosi
- AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, Biosensor Technologies, Konrad-Lorenz Straße 24, Tulln, 3430, Austria
| | - Wolfgang Knoll
- AIT Austrian Institute of Technology GmbH, Biosensor Technologies, Konrad-Lorenz Straße 24, Tulln, 3430, Austria
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The 40-Year Mystery of Insect Odorant-Binding Proteins. Biomolecules 2021; 11:biom11040509. [PMID: 33808208 PMCID: PMC8067015 DOI: 10.3390/biom11040509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 84] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2021] [Revised: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The survival of insects depends on their ability to detect molecules present in their environment. Odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) form a family of proteins involved in chemoreception. While OBPs were initially found in olfactory appendages, recently these proteins were discovered in other chemosensory and non-chemosensory organs. OBPs can bind, solubilize and transport hydrophobic stimuli to chemoreceptors across the aqueous sensilla lymph. In addition to this broadly accepted "transporter role", OBPs can also buffer sudden changes in odorant levels and are involved in hygro-reception. The physiological roles of OBPs expressed in other body tissues, such as mouthparts, pheromone glands, reproductive organs, digestive tract and venom glands, remain to be investigated. This review provides an updated panorama on the varied structural aspects, binding properties, tissue expression and functional roles of insect OBPs.
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Gonçalves F, Ribeiro A, Silva C, Cavaco-Paulo A. Biotechnological applications of mammalian odorant-binding proteins. Crit Rev Biotechnol 2021; 41:441-455. [PMID: 33541154 DOI: 10.1080/07388551.2020.1853672] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
The olfactory system of mammals allows the detection and discrimination of thousands of odors from the environment. In mammals, odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) are considered responsible to carry odorant molecules across the aqueous nasal mucus to the olfactory receptors (ORs). The three-dimensional structure of these proteins presents eight antiparallel β-sheets and a short α-helical segment close to the C terminus, typical of the lipocalins family. The great ability of OBPs to bind differentiated ligand molecules has driven the research to understand the mechanisms underlying the OBP function in nature and the development of advanced biotechnological applications. This review describes the role of mammalian OBPs in the olfactory perception, highlighting the influence of several key parameters (amino acids, temperature, ionic strength, and pH) in the formation of the OBP/ligand complex. The information from the literature regarding OBP structure, affinity, the strength of binding, and stability inspiring the development of several applications herein detailed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipa Gonçalves
- Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho - Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal
| | - Artur Ribeiro
- Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho - Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal
| | - Carla Silva
- Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho - Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal
| | - Artur Cavaco-Paulo
- Centre of Biological Engineering, University of Minho - Campus de Gualtar, Braga, Portugal
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Manikkaraja C, Bhavika M, Singh R, Nagarathnam B, George G, Gulyani A, Archunan G, Sowdhamini R. Molecular and functional characterization of buffalo nasal epithelial odorant binding proteins and their structural insights by in silico and biochemical approaches. J Biomol Struct Dyn 2020; 40:4164-4187. [PMID: 33292066 DOI: 10.1080/07391102.2020.1854117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The olfactory system is capable of detecting and distinguishing thousands of environmental odorants that play a key role in reproduction, social behaviours including pheromones influenced classical events. Membrane secretary odorant binding proteins (OBPs) are soluble lipocalins, localized in the nasal membrane of mammals. They bind and carry odorants within the nasal epithelium to putative olfactory transmembrane receptors (ORs). OBP has not yet been exploited to develop a suitable technique to detect oestrus which is being reported as a difficult task in buffalo. In the present study, using molecular biology and protein engineering approaches, we have cloned six novel OBP isoforms from buffalo nasal epithelium odorant-binding proteins (bnOBPs). Furthermore, 3 D models were developed and molecular-docking, dynamics experiments were performed by in silico approaches. In particular, we found four residues (Phe104, Phe134, Phe69 and Asn118) in OBP1a, which contributed to favourable interactions towards two sex pheromones, specifically oleic acid and p-cresol. We expressed this protein in Escherichia coli from female buffalo urine and validated through fluorescence quenching studies to show similar strong binding affinities of OBP1a to oleic acid and p-cresol. By using structural data, the binding specificity was also verified by site-directed mutagenesis of the four residues followed by in vitro binding assays. Our results enable us to better understand the functions of different nasal epithelium OBP isoforms in buffaloes. They also lead to improved understanding of the interaction between olfactory proteins and odorants to develop highly selective biosensing devices for non-invasive detection of oestrus in buffaloes. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chidhambaram Manikkaraja
- Pheromone Technology Lab, Department of Animal Science, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Mam Bhavika
- GKVK Campus, National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute for Fundamental Research, Bangalore, Karnataka, India.,The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology (TDU), Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Randhir Singh
- The Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Balasubramanian Nagarathnam
- GKVK Campus, National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute for Fundamental Research, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Geen George
- The Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bangalore, Karnataka, India
| | - Akash Gulyani
- The Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bangalore, Karnataka, India.,Department of Biochemistry, School of Life Sciences, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad, Telangana, India
| | - Govindaraju Archunan
- Pheromone Technology Lab, Department of Animal Science, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Ramanathan Sowdhamini
- GKVK Campus, National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute for Fundamental Research, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
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12
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Archunan G. Reproductive enhancement in buffalo: looking at urinary pheromones and hormones. IRANIAN JOURNAL OF VETERINARY RESEARCH 2020; 21:163-171. [PMID: 33178293 PMCID: PMC7608042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2019] [Revised: 06/02/2020] [Accepted: 06/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The success of conception in buffalo is greatly dependent on precise estrus detection and time of artificial insemination (AI). Various visual, behavioral, biochemical and gyneco-clinical parameters have been tracked closely and a cost-effective combinatorial model has been developed to detect estrus in buffaloes. Pheromones play pivotal roles in reproduction and behavior of mammals. Urine, an easily available biological material which reflects the internal status of an animal, was recruited for profiling the pheromone compounds during the various phases of estrous cycle using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. Among the identified compounds, 4-methyl phenol (4-mp, p-Cresol) and 9-octadecenoic acid (Oleic acid) were found to be estrus-specific and would be promising estrus-indicators. Similarly, detection of luteinizing hormone (LH) in urine was also focused to predict the time of ovulation in buffaloes. Partial success has been obtained in the attempt to develop a cost-effective bioassay kit for estrus detection. The ongoing venture of the relevant research team is to develop a biosensor to identify estrus-specific pheromone compounds in urine. Development of a nanoparticle-based bioassay kit for detection of urinary LH for effective prediction of estrus or ovulation is also in progress.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Archunan
- Pheromone Technology Lab, Department of Animal Science, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli-620024, Tamilnadu, India
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