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Ruiz-Monachesi MR, Abdala CS, Cruz FB. Allometry and morphological integration shape the chemical detection system in Liolaemus lizards (Squamata, Iguania). ZOOL ANZ 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcz.2022.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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2
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Ibáñez A, Skupien-Rabian B, Jankowska U, Kędracka-Krok S, Zając B, Pabijan M. Functional Protein Composition in Femoral Glands of Sand Lizards ( Lacerta agilis). MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27072371. [PMID: 35408771 PMCID: PMC9000839 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27072371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Proteins are ubiquitous macromolecules that display a vast repertoire of chemical and enzymatic functions, making them suitable candidates for chemosignals, used in intraspecific communication. Proteins are present in the skin gland secretions of vertebrates but their identity, and especially, their functions, remain largely unknown. Many lizard species possess femoral glands, i.e., epidermal organs primarily involved in the production and secretion of chemosignals, playing a pivotal role in mate choice and intrasexual communication. The lipophilic fraction of femoral glands has been well studied in lizards. In contrast, proteins have been the focus of only a handful of investigations. Here, we identify and describe inter-individual expression patterns and the functionality of proteins present in femoral glands of male sand lizards (Lacerta agilis) by applying mass spectrometry-based proteomics. Our results show that the total number of proteins varied substantially among individuals. None of the identified femoral gland proteins could be directly linked to chemical communication in lizards, although this result hinges on protein annotation in databases in which squamate semiochemicals are poorly represented. In contrast to our expectations, the proteins consistently expressed across individuals were related to the immune system, antioxidant activity and lipid metabolism as their main functions, showing that proteins in reptilian epidermal glands may have other functions besides chemical communication. Interestingly, we found expression of the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) among the multiple and diverse biological processes enriched in FGs, tentatively supporting a previous hypothesis that MHC was coopted for semiochemical function in sand lizards, specifically in mate recognition. Our study shows that mass spectrometry-based proteomics are a powerful tool for characterizing and deciphering the role of proteins secreted by skin glands in non-model vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Ibáñez
- Department of Comparative Anatomy, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland;
- Department of Ecology and Vertebrate Zoology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Łódź, 90-237 Łódź, Poland
- Correspondence:
| | - Bozena Skupien-Rabian
- Proteomics and Mass Spectrometry Core Facility, Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland; (B.S.-R.); (U.J.)
| | - Urszula Jankowska
- Proteomics and Mass Spectrometry Core Facility, Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland; (B.S.-R.); (U.J.)
| | - Sylwia Kędracka-Krok
- Department of Physical Biochemistry, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland;
| | - Bartłomiej Zając
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland;
| | - Maciej Pabijan
- Department of Comparative Anatomy, Institute of Zoology and Biomedical Research, Faculty of Biology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Kraków, Poland;
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Rojas V, Labra A, Valdés JL, Velásquez NA. Females of the four-eyed frog, Pleurodema thaul (Anura, Leptodactylidae), respond behaviourally to conspecific male scent. HERPETOZOA 2021. [DOI: 10.3897/herpetozoa.34.e62007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Among amphibians, conspecific chemical communication has been widely studied in Caudata. Adult anurans, by contrast, have received less attention. Recently, it was shown that chemical scents are also relevant for adult anuran intraspecific communication. In this context, we evaluate whether females of the four-eyed frog (Pleurodema thaul) respond to conspecific male scents. We carried out a double choice experiment in a Y-maze. Females were repeatedly presented with the scents of several males versus distilled water. To extract the scent from males, we acoustically stimulated males and then used the water from their aquaria for the experiments. Our data suggest that females are capable of responding behaviourally to male scents, since they spent longer periods in the zones with male scent, rather than in zones with water. We propose that under natural breeding conditions, females of P. thaul may use either their chemical sense or chemical cues to facilitate their encounters with males.
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Woodley SK, Staub NL. Pheromonal communication in urodelan amphibians. Cell Tissue Res 2021; 383:327-345. [PMID: 33427952 DOI: 10.1007/s00441-020-03408-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Pheromonal communication is an ancient and pervasive sensory modality in urodelan amphibians. One family of salamander pheromones (the sodefrin precursor-like factor (SPF) family) originated 300 million years ago, at the origin of amphibians. Although salamanders are often thought of as relatively simple animals especially when compared to mammals, the pheromonal systems are varied and complex with nuanced effects on behavior. Here, we review the function and evolution of pheromonal signals involved in male-female reproductive interactions. After describing common themes of salamander pheromonal communication, we describe what is known about the rich diversity of pheromonal communication in each salamander family. Several pheromones have been described, ranging from simple, invariant molecules to complex, variable blends of pheromones. While some pheromones elicit overt behavioral responses, others have more nuanced effects. Pheromonal signals have diversified within salamander lineages and have experienced rapid evolution. Once receptors have been matched to pheromonal ligands, rapid advance can be made to better understand the olfactory detection and processing of salamander pheromones. In particular, a large number of salamander species deliver pheromones across the skin of females, perhaps reflecting a novel mode of pheromonal communication. At the end of our review, we list some of the many intriguing unanswered questions. We hope that this review will inspire a new generation of scientists to pursue work in this rewarding field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah K Woodley
- Department of Biological Sciences, Duquesne University, 600 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA, 15282, USA.
| | - Nancy L Staub
- Biology Department, Gonzaga University, Spokane, WA, 99203, USA
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Rancilhac L, Irisarri I, Angelini C, Arntzen JW, Babik W, Bossuyt F, Künzel S, Lüddecke T, Pasmans F, Sanchez E, Weisrock D, Veith M, Wielstra B, Steinfartz S, Hofreiter M, Philippe H, Vences M. Phylotranscriptomic evidence for pervasive ancient hybridization among Old World salamanders. Mol Phylogenet Evol 2020; 155:106967. [PMID: 33031928 DOI: 10.1016/j.ympev.2020.106967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 09/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Hybridization can leave genealogical signatures in an organism's genome, originating from the parental lineages and persisting over time. This potentially confounds phylogenetic inference methods that aim to represent evolution as a strictly bifurcating tree. We apply a phylotranscriptomic approach to study the evolutionary history of, and test for inter-lineage introgression in the Salamandridae, a Holarctic salamanders group of interest in studies of toxicity and aposematism, courtship behavior, and molecular evolution. Although the relationships between the 21 currently recognized salamandrid genera have been the subject of numerous molecular phylogenetic studies, some branches have remained controversial and sometimes affected by discordances between mitochondrial vs. nuclear trees. To resolve the phylogeny of this family, and understand the source of mito-nuclear discordance, we generated new transcriptomic (RNAseq) data for 20 salamandrids and used these along with published data, including 28 mitochondrial genomes, to obtain a comprehensive nuclear and mitochondrial perspective on salamandrid evolution. Our final phylotranscriptomic data set included 5455 gene alignments for 40 species representing 17 of the 21 salamandrid genera. Using concatenation and species-tree phylogenetic methods, we find (1) Salamandrina sister to the clade of the "True Salamanders" (consisting of Chioglossa, Mertensiella, Lyciasalamandra, and Salamandra), (2) Ichthyosaura sister to the Near Eastern genera Neurergus and Ommatotriton, (3) Triturus sister to Lissotriton, and (4) Cynops paraphyletic with respect to Paramesotriton and Pachytriton. Combining introgression tests and phylogenetic networks, we find evidence for introgression among taxa within the clades of "Modern Asian Newts" and "Modern European Newts". However, we could not unambiguously identify the number, position, and direction of introgressive events. Combining evidence from nuclear gene analysis with the observed mito-nuclear phylogenetic discordances, we hypothesize a scenario with hybridization and mitochondrial capture among ancestral lineages of (1) Lissotriton into Ichthyosaura and (2) Triturus into Calotriton, plus introgression of nuclear genes from Triturus into Lissotriton. Furthermore, both mitochondrial capture and nuclear introgression may have occurred among lineages assigned to Cynops. More comprehensive genomic data will, in the future, allow testing this against alternative scenarios involving hybridization with other, extinct lineages of newts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Loïs Rancilhac
- Zoological Institute, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Mendelssohnstr. 4, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany.
| | - Iker Irisarri
- Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Jan W Arntzen
- Naturalis Biodiversity Center, 2300 RA Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Wiesław Babik
- Institute of Environmental Sciences, Jagiellonian University, ul. Gronostajowa 7, 30-387 Kraków, Poland
| | - Franky Bossuyt
- Amphibian Evolution Lab, Biology Department, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussels Belgium
| | - Sven Künzel
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, 24306 Plön, Germany
| | - Tim Lüddecke
- Department of Bioresources, Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology, Winchesterstr. 2, 35394 Gießen, Germany; LOEWE Centre for Translational Biodiversity Genomics (LOEWE-TBG), Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Frank Pasmans
- Department of Pathology, Bacteriology and Avian Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, 9820 Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Eugenia Sanchez
- Zoological Institute, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Mendelssohnstr. 4, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany; Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA
| | - David Weisrock
- Department of Biology, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506, USA
| | - Michael Veith
- Biogeography Department, Trier University, 54286 Trier, Germany
| | - Ben Wielstra
- Institute of Biology Leiden, Leiden University, 2300 RA Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Sebastian Steinfartz
- Institute of Biology, Molecular Evolution and Systematics of Animals, University of Leipzig, Talstrasse 33, 04103, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Michael Hofreiter
- Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Hervé Philippe
- Centre for Biodiversity Theory and Modelling, UMR CNRS 5321, Station of Theoretical and Experimental Ecology, 2 route du CNRS, 09200 Moulis, France
| | - Miguel Vences
- Zoological Institute, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Mendelssohnstr. 4, 38106 Braunschweig, Germany
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Torres-Sánchez M, Wilkinson M, Gower DJ, Creevey CJ, San Mauro D. Insights into the skin of caecilian amphibians from gene expression profiles. BMC Genomics 2020; 21:515. [PMID: 32718305 PMCID: PMC7385959 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-020-06881-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 07/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Gene expression profiles can provide insights into the molecular machinery behind tissue functions and, in turn, can further our understanding of environmental responses, and developmental and evolutionary processes. During vertebrate evolution, the skin has played a crucial role, displaying a wide diversity of essential functions. To unravel the molecular basis of skin specialisations and adaptations, we compared gene expression in the skin with eight other tissues in a phylogenetically and ecologically diverse species sample of one of the most neglected vertebrate groups, the caecilian amphibians (order Gymnophiona). Results The skin of the five studied caecilian species showed a distinct gene expression profile reflecting its developmental origin and showing similarities to other epithelial tissues. We identified 59 sequences with conserved enhanced expression in the skin that might be associated with caecilian dermal specialisations. Some of the up-regulated genes shared expression patterns with human skin and potentially are involved in skin functions across vertebrates. Variation trends in gene expression were detected between mid and posterior body skin suggesting different functions between body regions. Several candidate biologically active peptides were also annotated. Conclusions Our study provides the first atlas of differentially expressed sequences in caecilian tissues and a baseline to explore the molecular basis of the skin functions in caecilian amphibians, and more broadly in vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Torres-Sánchez
- Department of Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040, Madrid, Spain. .,Present address: Department of Biology, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, 32611, USA.
| | - Mark Wilkinson
- Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, London, SW7 5BD, UK
| | - David J Gower
- Department of Life Sciences, The Natural History Museum, London, SW7 5BD, UK
| | - Christopher J Creevey
- Institute for Global Food Security, Queen's University Belfast, University Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland, BT7 1NN, UK
| | - Diego San Mauro
- Department of Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution, Complutense University of Madrid, 28040, Madrid, Spain
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Kikuyama S, Okada R, Hasunuma I, Nakada T. Some aspects of the hypothalamic and pituitary development, metamorphosis, and reproductive behavior as studied in amphibians. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2019; 284:113212. [PMID: 31238076 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2019.113212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2018] [Revised: 06/12/2019] [Accepted: 06/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
In this review article, information about the development of the hypothalamo-hypophyseal axis, endocrine control of metamorphosis, and hormonal and pheromonal involvements in reproductive behavior in some amphibian species is assembled from the works conducted mainly by our research group. The hypothalamic and pituitary development was studied using Bufo embryos and larvae. The primordium of the epithelial hypophysis originates at the anterior neural ridge and migrates underneath the brain to form a Rathke's pouch-like structure. The hypothalamo-hypophyseal axis develops under the influence of thyroid hormone (TH). For the morphological and functional development of the median eminence, which is a key structure in the transport of regulatory hormones to the pituitary, contact of the adenohypophysis with the undeveloped median eminence is necessary. For the development of proopiomelanocortin-producing cells, contact of the pituitary primordium with the infundibulum is required. The significance of avascularization in terms of the function of the intermediate lobe of the pituitary was evidenced with transgenic Xenopus frogs expressing a vascular endothelial growth factor in melanotropes. Metamorphosis progresses via the interaction of TH, adrenal corticosteroids, and prolactin (PRL). We emphasize that PRL has a dual role: modulation of the speed of metamorphic changes and functional development of organs for adult life. A brief description about a novel type of PRL (1B) that was detected was made. A possible reason why the main hypothalamic factor that stimulates the release of thyrotropin is not thyrotropin-releasing hormone, but corticotropin-releasing factor is considered in light of the fact that amphibians are poikilotherms. As regards the reproductive behavior in amphibians, studies were focused on the courtship behavior of the newt, Cynops pyrrhogaster. Male newts exhibit a unique courtship behavior toward sexually developed conspecific females. Hormonal interactions eliciting this behavior and hormonal control of the courtship pheromone secretion are discussed on the basis of our experimental results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sakae Kikuyama
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Education and Integrated Sciences, Center for Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Waseda University, Tokyo 162-8480, Japan.
| | - Reiko Okada
- Department of Biological Science, Faculty of Science, Shizuoka University, Shizuoka 422-8529, Japan.
| | - Itaru Hasunuma
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Toho University, Chiba 274-8510, Japan
| | - Tomoaki Nakada
- Department of Comparative and Behavioral Medicine, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, Tokyo 180-8602, Japan
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Lüddecke T, Schulz S, Steinfartz S, Vences M. A salamander’s toxic arsenal: review of skin poison diversity and function in true salamanders, genus Salamandra. Naturwissenschaften 2018; 105:56. [DOI: 10.1007/s00114-018-1579-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2018] [Revised: 08/03/2018] [Accepted: 08/05/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
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9
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Maex M, Treer D, De Greve H, Proost P, Van Bocxlaer I, Bossuyt F. Exaptation as a Mechanism for Functional Reinforcement of an Animal Pheromone System. Curr Biol 2018; 28:2955-2960.e5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2018.06.074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2018] [Revised: 06/27/2018] [Accepted: 06/28/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Treer D, Maex M, Van Bocxlaer I, Proost P, Bossuyt F. Divergence of species-specific protein sex pheromone blends in two related, nonhybridizing newts (Salamandridae). Mol Ecol 2017; 27:508-519. [PMID: 29087032 DOI: 10.1111/mec.14398] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2017] [Revised: 08/17/2017] [Accepted: 08/24/2017] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
In animals that use chemical communication during courtship and reproduction, speciation is often associated with divergence of their sex pheromones. In multicomponent pheromone systems, divergence can be obtained either by adding or deleting components, or by altering the relative contribution of individual components to the mixture. Protein pheromone systems can additionally evolve by amino acid sequence divergence to produce pheromones with a species-specific effect. The sodefrin precursor-like factor (SPF) pheromone system, a blend of proteins that essentially enhances receptivity in salamanders, has had a long and dynamic evolution of gene duplications, but the mechanisms that govern interspecific divergence and the role they play in reproductive isolation remain elusive. Here, we use transcriptomics and proteomics to characterize the SPF protein repertoire of the alpine newt (Ichthyosaura alpestris), and compare it to the previously identified repertoire of SPF proteins of the palmate newt (Lissotriton helveticus), a related but nonhybridizing species. Subsequent phylogenetic analyses indicate that, despite the availability of multiple SPF gene copies, both species predominantly express the same subset of orthologs. Our study demonstrates that species specificity in the SPF protein pheromone system can be established by gradual sequence divergence of the same set of proteins alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dag Treer
- Amphibian Evolution Lab, Biology Department, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Margo Maex
- Amphibian Evolution Lab, Biology Department, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Ines Van Bocxlaer
- Amphibian Evolution Lab, Biology Department, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Paul Proost
- Laboratory of Molecular Immunology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (K.U. Leuven), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Franky Bossuyt
- Amphibian Evolution Lab, Biology Department, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Brussels, Belgium
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Wilburn DB, Arnold SJ, Houck LD, Feldhoff PW, Feldhoff RC. Gene Duplication, Co-option, Structural Evolution, and Phenotypic Tango in the Courtship Pheromones of Plethodontid Salamanders. HERPETOLOGICA 2017. [DOI: 10.1655/herpetologica-d-16-00082.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Damien B. Wilburn
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA
| | - Stevan J. Arnold
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Lynne D. Houck
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
| | - Pamela W. Feldhoff
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
| | - Richard C. Feldhoff
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
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