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Wang W, Ge J, Zhang Y, Zhang J. The male's scent triggered a neural response in females despite ambiguous behavioral response in Asian house rats. Integr Zool 2024; 19:694-709. [PMID: 37804522 DOI: 10.1111/1749-4877.12768] [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] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
Pheromones and olfactory communication play vital roles in sex recognition and mate choice in rodents. Asian house rats (Rattus tanezumi) (RT) often startle easily, making behavioral measurements difficult to carry out accurately in the laboratory. Here, the behavioral and olfactory preferences of the female RT between males and females were not observed using a conventional two-choice device; we then explored the neuro-immunohistochemical evidence in the brains of RT females. We found that male urine elicited significantly higher c-fos expression in the accessory olfactory system and sex-related brain regions in females than female urine did. On the other hand, the differences of volatile compounds and major urinary proteins (MUPs) in both voided urine and preputial glands (PGs) of the RT were detected using gas chromatography-mass spectrometer, sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, isoelectric focusing electrophoresis, and liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. We found that PG-derived 1-(4,5-dihydro-2-thiazolyl)-ethanone and total MUPs were more abundant in males versus females, suggesting these sexually divergent components might activate the female's accessory olfactory system. In conclusion, the neuro-immunohistochemical evidence indicated that potential sex pheromones might exist in RT; however, the strength of the chemical signal might be too weak to cause behavioral responses in females.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weichao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jingru Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yaohua Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jianxu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
- CAS Center for Excellence in Biotic Interactions, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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2
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Coombes HA, Prescott MC, Stockley P, Beynon RJ, Hurst JL. The role of male scent in female attraction in the bank vole, Myodes glareolus. Sci Rep 2024; 14:4812. [PMID: 38413659 PMCID: PMC10899570 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-55235-x] [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: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024] Open
Abstract
Chemical signals are frequently utilised by male mammals for intersexual communication and females are often attracted to male scent. However, the mechanism underlying female attraction has only been identified in a small number of mammalian species. Mammalian scents contain airborne volatiles, that are detected by receivers at a distance from the scent source, as well as non-volatile molecules, such as proteins, that require physical contact for detection. Lipocalin proteins, produced within the scent secretions of many terrestrial mammals, are thought to be particularly important in chemical signalling. Here, we explore if the male-specific protein, glareosin, expressed by adult male bank voles, Myodes glareolus, stimulates female attraction to male scent. We show that female bank voles are more attracted to male compared to female scent, supporting the results of previous studies. Increased investigation and attraction to male scent occurred to both airborne volatiles and non-volatile proteins when they were presented separately. However, we found no evidence that attraction to male scent was driven by glareosin. Our results differ from those previously described in house mice, where a single protein induces female attraction to male scent, suggesting the mechanism underlying female attraction to male scent differs between species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly A Coombes
- Mammalian Behaviour and Evolution Group, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.
- Department of Biology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK.
| | - Mark C Prescott
- Centre for Proteome Research, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Paula Stockley
- Mammalian Behaviour and Evolution Group, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Robert J Beynon
- Centre for Proteome Research, Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - Jane L Hurst
- Mammalian Behaviour and Evolution Group, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
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3
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Chyła-Danił G, Sałaga-Zaleska K, Kreft E, Stumski O, Krzesińska A, Sakowicz-Burkiewicz M, Kuchta A, Jankowski M. Long-Term Effects of Suramin on Renal Function in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes in Rats. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14671. [PMID: 37834118 PMCID: PMC10572378 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914671] [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: 08/30/2023] [Revised: 09/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
In short-term diabetes (3 weeks), suramin, a drug used clinically, affects renal function and the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), which may be involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy, the main cause of end-stage renal disease. In the present study, we evaluated the long-term (11 weeks) effects of suramin (10 mg/kg, i.p., once-weekly) in diabetic rats. Concentrations of VEGF-A, albumin, soluble adhesive molecules (sICAM-1, sVCAM-1), nucleosomes, and thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT) were measured by ELISA, total protein was measured using a biuret reagent. Glomerular expression of VEGF-A was evaluated by Western blot, mRNA for VEGF-A receptors in the renal cortex by RT-PCR. The vasoreactivity of the interlobar arteries to acetylcholine was assessed by wire myography. Long-term diabetes led to an increased concentration of VEGF-A, TAT, and urinary excretion of total protein and albumin, and a decrease in the concentration of sVCAM-1. We have shown that suramin in diabetes reduces total urinary protein excretion and restores the relaxing properties of acetylcholine relaxation properties to non-diabetic levels. Suramin had no effect on glomerular expression VEGF-A expression and specific receptors, and on sICAM-1 and nucleosomes concentrations in diabetic rats. In conclusion, the long-term effect of suramin on the kidneys in diabetes, expressed in the reduction of proteinuria and the restoration of endothelium-dependent relaxation of the renal arteries, can be considered as potentially contributing to the reduction/slowing down of the development of diabetic nephropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Chyła-Danił
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Medical University of Gdańsk, Dębinki 7, 80-210 Gdańsk, Poland; (G.C.-D.)
| | - Kornelia Sałaga-Zaleska
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Medical University of Gdańsk, Dębinki 7, 80-210 Gdańsk, Poland; (G.C.-D.)
| | - Ewelina Kreft
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Medical University of Gdańsk, Dębinki 7, 80-210 Gdańsk, Poland; (G.C.-D.)
| | - Olaf Stumski
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Medical University of Gdańsk, Dębinki 7, 80-210 Gdańsk, Poland; (G.C.-D.)
| | - Aleksandra Krzesińska
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Medical University of Gdańsk, Dębinki 7, 80-210 Gdańsk, Poland; (G.C.-D.)
| | | | - Agnieszka Kuchta
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Medical University of Gdańsk, Dębinki 7, 80-210 Gdańsk, Poland; (G.C.-D.)
| | - Maciej Jankowski
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Medical University of Gdańsk, Dębinki 7, 80-210 Gdańsk, Poland; (G.C.-D.)
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Domínguez-Martín MA, López-Lozano A, Melero-Rubio Y, Gómez-Baena G, Jiménez-Estrada JA, Kukil K, Diez J, García-Fernández JM. Marine Synechococcus sp. Strain WH7803 Shows Specific Adaptative Responses to Assimilate Nanomolar Concentrations of Nitrate. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0018722. [PMID: 35852322 PMCID: PMC9430850 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.00187-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Marine Synechococcus, together with Prochlorococcus, contribute to a significant proportion of the primary production on Earth. The spatial distribution of these two groups of marine picocyanobacteria depends on different factors such as nutrient availability and temperature. Some Synechococcus ecotypes thrive in mesotrophic and moderately oligotrophic waters, where they exploit both oxidized and reduced forms of nitrogen. Here, we present a comprehensive study, which includes transcriptomic and proteomic analyses of the response of Synechococcus sp. strain WH7803 to nanomolar concentrations of nitrate, compared to micromolar ammonium or nitrogen starvation. We found that Synechococcus has a specific response to a nanomolar nitrate concentration that differs from the response shown under nitrogen starvation or the presence of standard concentrations of either ammonium or nitrate. This fact suggests that the particular response to the uptake of nanomolar concentrations of nitrate could be an evolutionary advantage for marine Synechococcus against Prochlorococcus in the natural environment. IMPORTANCE Marine Synechococcus are a very abundant group of photosynthetic organisms on our planet. Previous studies have shown blooms of these organisms when nanomolar concentrations of nitrate become available. We have assessed the effect of nanomolar nitrate concentrations by studying the transcriptome and proteome of Synechococcus sp. WH7803, together with some physiological parameters. We found evidence that Synechococcus sp. strain WH7803 does sense and react to nanomolar concentrations of nitrate, suggesting the occurrence of specific adaptive mechanisms to allow their utilization. Thus, very low concentrations of nitrate in the ocean seem to be a significant nitrogen source for marine picocyanobacteria.
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Grants
- Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovacion, Government of Spain (cofunded by the FEDER program, European Union)
- Consejeria de Conocimiento, Investigacion y Universidad, Junta de Andalucia (Spain), cofunded by the FEDER program (European Union)
- Universidad de Cordoba (Spain), Programa Propio de Investigacion
- Junta de Andalucia (Spain), Programa Operativo de Empleo Juvenil, cofunded by the FEDER programme (European Union)
- Consejería de Transformación Económica, Industria, Conocimiento y Universidades, Junta de Andalucia (Spain), cofunded by the FEDER program (European Union)
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Affiliation(s)
- María Agustina Domínguez-Martín
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Agroalimentario CeiA3, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Antonio López-Lozano
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Agroalimentario CeiA3, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Yesica Melero-Rubio
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Agroalimentario CeiA3, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Guadalupe Gómez-Baena
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Agroalimentario CeiA3, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Juan Andrés Jiménez-Estrada
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Agroalimentario CeiA3, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Kateryna Kukil
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Agroalimentario CeiA3, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - Jesús Diez
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Agroalimentario CeiA3, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
| | - José Manuel García-Fernández
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Campus de Excelencia Internacional Agroalimentario CeiA3, Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, Spain
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5
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Lucarelli V, Colbert D, Cumming M, Hamiaux C, Loxley G, Linklater W, Travas-Sejdic J, Kralicek A. Expression, purification and characterisation of the recombinant possum lipocalin vulpeculin. Biochim Biophys Acta Gen Subj 2022; 1866:130205. [PMID: 35908580 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagen.2022.130205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lipocalins are a large family of proteins, which possess a highly conserved eight-stranded antiparallel beta-barrel structure as distinctive trait. This family includes Major Urinary Proteins (MUPs) from rats and mouse, studied for their role in urinary protein-mediated chemosignalling. Vulpeculin has been identified as the most abundant protein in the urine of the common brushtail possum, Trichosurus vulpecula. On the basis of high similarity with other MUPS, we hypothesised that vulpeculin might have a role in possum chemosignalling and investigated its stability and binding ability. METHODS We expressed and purified vulpeculin using an E.coli-based system and confirmed correct folding by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy. Thermal stability was studied by CD and binding properties were investigated using two optical probes N-phenyl-naphthylamine (NPN) and 8-anilino-1-naphthalene sulphonic acid (ANS). RESULTS CD revealed a secondary structure typical of a predominantly β-sheet protein, consistent with the beta barrel structure of the lipocalin family. Vulpeculin showed a high level of thermostability, as assessed by CD, exhibiting a small shift in the secondary structure even at 95 °C. Binding assays indicated that vulpeculin cannot accommodate the NPN ligand but can bind ANS. CONCLUSION The urinary secretion, high degree of sequence similarity with other lipocalins, its beta sheet structure assessed by CD and potential to bind hydrophobic ligands in the hydrophobic cavity or an external hydrophobic pocket, suggest vulpeculin may be involved in possum chemosignalling. GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE This work represents a first step towards the further investigation of the newly discovered lipocalin and its role in possum chemosignalling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valentina Lucarelli
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Private Bag 92169, Auckland 1142, New Zealand; Polymer Biointerface Centre, School of Chemical Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand; MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, Wellington 6140, New Zealand
| | - Damon Colbert
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Private Bag 92169, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Mathew Cumming
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Private Bag 92169, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Cyril Hamiaux
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Private Bag 92169, Auckland 1142, New Zealand
| | - Grace Loxley
- Centre for Proteome Research, Institute of Systems and Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, L697ZB Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Wayne Linklater
- Department of Environmental Studies, California State University, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Jadranka Travas-Sejdic
- Polymer Biointerface Centre, School of Chemical Sciences, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1023, New Zealand; MacDiarmid Institute for Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, Wellington 6140, New Zealand.
| | - Andrew Kralicek
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited, Private Bag 92169, Auckland 1142, New Zealand.
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Poitras T, Singh V, Piragasam RS, Wang X, Mannaa AM, Chandrasekhar A, Martinez J, Fahlman R, Zochodne DW. Repurposed major urinary protein pheromones and adult sensory neurons: roles in neuron plasticity and experimental diabetes. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 2022; 323:E53-E68. [PMID: 35635311 DOI: 10.1152/ajpendo.00001.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Major urinary proteins (MUPs), members of the broader lipocalin protein family, are classified as pheromones that are excreted in male rodent urine to define conspecific territoriality. In screening for differentially regulated mRNA transcripts in a mouse model of type 1 experimental diabetes mellitus (DM), we identified an unexpected upregulation of several closely related MUP transcripts within diabetic sensory dorsal root ganglia (DRG). Both sexes expressed overall MUP protein content as identified by an antibody widely targeting these upregulated family members, and immunohistochemistry identified expression within neurons, satellite glial cells, and Schwann cells. In dissociated adult sensory neurons, knockdown by an siRNA targeting upregulated MUP mRNAs, enhanced neurite outgrowth, indicating a growth-suppressive role, an impact that was synergistic with subnanomolar insulin neuronal signaling. While MUP knockdown did not generate rises in insulin signaling transcripts, the protein did bind to several mitochondrial and glial targets in DRG lysates. Analysis of a protein closely related to MUPs but that is expressed in humans, lipocalin-2, also suppressed growth, but its impact was unrelated to insulin. In a model of chronic type 1 DM, MUP siRNA knockdown improved electrophysiological and behavioral abnormalities of experimental neuropathy. MUPs have actions beyond pheromone signaling in rodents that involve suppression of growth plasticity of sensory neurons. Its hitherto unanticipated actions overlap with those of lipocalin-2 and may identify a common and widely mediated impact on neuron growth properties by members of the lipocalin family. Knockdown of MUP supports the trophic actions of insulin as a strategy that may improve features of type 1 experimental diabetic neuropathy.NEW & NOTEWORTHY New molecular mechanisms are important to unravel and understand diabetic polyneuropathy, a disorder prevalent in over half of persons with diabetes mellitus (DM). MUPs, members of the lipocalin family of molecules, have an unexpected impact on the plasticity of sensory neurons that are targeted in type 1 experimental diabetic neuropathy. This work explores this potential target in neuropathy in the context of the lipocalin family of molecules.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevor Poitras
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine and the Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Vandana Singh
- Division of Neurology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience and the Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | | | - Xiuling Wang
- Southern Alberta Microarray Facility, Department Biochemistry and Molecular. Biology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Atef M Mannaa
- INSERM U1192, Laboratoire Protéomique, Réponse Inflammatoire & Spectrométrie de Masse (PRISM), Université de Lille, Lille, France
- Higher Institute of Engineering and Technology, New Borg El-Arab City, Egypt
| | - Ambika Chandrasekhar
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine and the Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Jose Martinez
- Division of Neurology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience and the Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Richard Fahlman
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Douglas W Zochodne
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine and the Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
- Division of Neurology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience and the Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
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Nephrotoxicity evaluation and proteomic analysis in kidneys of rats exposed to thioacetamide. Sci Rep 2022; 12:6837. [PMID: 35477741 PMCID: PMC9046159 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-11011-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2021] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Thioacetamide (TAA) was administered orally at 0, 10, and 30 mg/kg body weight (BW) daily to Sprague–Dawley rats aged 6–7 weeks for 28 consecutive days. Nephrotoxicity and proteomics were evaluated in the kidneys of rats exposed to TAA. The BW decreased, however, the relative kidneys weight increased. No significant histopathologic abnormalities were found in the kidneys. The numbers of monocytes and platelets were significantly increased. However, the mean corpuscular volume and hematocrit values were decreased significantly in rats exposed to 30 mg/kg BW TAA. The expression levels of Kim-1 and NGAL were increased 4 to 5-fold in the kidneys, resulting in significant nephrotoxicity. Proteomic analysis was conducted and a total of 5221 proteins spots were resolved. Of these, 3 and 21 protein spots were up- and downregulated, respectively. The validation of seven proteins was performed by Western blot analysis. The expression level of ASAP2 was significantly upregulated, whereas RGS14, MAP7Dl, IL-3Rα, Tmod1, NQO2, and MUP were reduced. Sixteen isoforms of MUP were found by the 2DE immunoblot assay and were significantly downregulated with increasing exposure to TAA. MUP isoforms were compared in the liver, kidneys, and urine of untreated rats and a total of 43 isoforms were found.
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Baumgartner A, Reichelt-Wurm S, Gronwald W, Samol C, Schröder JA, Fellner C, Holler K, Steege A, Putz FJ, Oefner PJ, Banas B, Banas MC. Assessment of Physiological Rat Kidney Ageing—Implications for the Evaluation of Allograft Quality Prior to Renal Transplantation. Metabolites 2022; 12:metabo12020162. [PMID: 35208236 PMCID: PMC8875225 DOI: 10.3390/metabo12020162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 02/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to organ shortage and rising life expectancy the age of organ donors and recipients is increasing. Reliable biomarkers of organ quality that predict successful long-term transplantation outcomes are poorly defined. The aim of this study was the identification of age-related markers of kidney function that might accurately reflect donor organ quality. Histomorphometric, biochemical and molecular parameters were measured in young (3-month-old) and old (24-month-old) male Sprague Dawley rats. In addition to conventional methods, we used urine metabolomics by NMR spectroscopy and gene expression analysis by quantitative RT-PCR to identify markers of ageing relevant to allograft survival. Beside known markers of kidney ageing like albuminuria, changes in the concentration of urine metabolites such as trimethylamine-N-oxide, trigonelline, 2-oxoglutarate, citrate, hippurate, glutamine, acetoacetate, valine and 1-methyl-histidine were identified in association with ageing. In addition, expression of several genes of the toll-like receptor (TLR) pathway, known for their implication in inflammaging, were upregulated in the kidneys of old rats. This study led to the identification of age-related markers of biological allograft age potentially relevant for allograft survival in the future. Among those, urine metabolites and markers of immunity and inflammation, which are highly relevant to immunosuppression in transplant recipients, are promising and deserve further investigation in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreas Baumgartner
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (A.B.); (K.H.); (A.S.); (F.J.P.); (B.B.)
- Department of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, Medical Center-Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg, 79106 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Simone Reichelt-Wurm
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (A.B.); (K.H.); (A.S.); (F.J.P.); (B.B.)
- Correspondence: (S.R.-W.); (W.G.); (M.C.B.)
| | - Wolfram Gronwald
- Institute of Functional Genomics, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (C.S.); (P.J.O.)
- Correspondence: (S.R.-W.); (W.G.); (M.C.B.)
| | - Claudia Samol
- Institute of Functional Genomics, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (C.S.); (P.J.O.)
| | - Josef A. Schröder
- Institute of Pathology, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany;
| | - Claudia Fellner
- Department of Radiology, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany;
| | - Kathrin Holler
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (A.B.); (K.H.); (A.S.); (F.J.P.); (B.B.)
| | - Andreas Steege
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (A.B.); (K.H.); (A.S.); (F.J.P.); (B.B.)
| | - Franz Josef Putz
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (A.B.); (K.H.); (A.S.); (F.J.P.); (B.B.)
| | - Peter J. Oefner
- Institute of Functional Genomics, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (C.S.); (P.J.O.)
| | - Bernhard Banas
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (A.B.); (K.H.); (A.S.); (F.J.P.); (B.B.)
| | - Miriam C. Banas
- Department of Nephrology, University Hospital Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany; (A.B.); (K.H.); (A.S.); (F.J.P.); (B.B.)
- Correspondence: (S.R.-W.); (W.G.); (M.C.B.)
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Poitras T, Piragasam RS, Joy T, Jackson J, Chandrasekhar A, Fahlman R, Zochodne DW. Major urinary protein excreted in rodent hindpaw sweat. J Anat 2021; 239:529-535. [PMID: 33686663 PMCID: PMC8273588 DOI: 10.1111/joa.13423] [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: 01/07/2021] [Revised: 02/12/2021] [Accepted: 02/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Alternative roles for sweat production beyond thermoregulation, considered less frequently, include chemical signaling. We identified the presence of a well-established rodent urinary pheromone, major urinary protein (MUP) in sweat ductules of the footpad dermal skin of mice. A hindpaw sweat proteomic analysis in hindpaw sweat samples collected in rats and generated by unmyelinated axon activation, identified seven lipocalin family members including MUP and 19 additional unique proteins. Behavioural responses to sniffing male mouse foot protein lysates suggested avoidance in a subset of male mice, but were not definitive. Rodent hindpaw sweat glands secrete a repertoire of proteins that include MUPs known to have roles in olfactory communication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevor Poitras
- Division of NeurologyDepartment of Medicine and the Neuroscience and Mental Health InstituteUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonABCanada
| | | | - Twinkle Joy
- Division of NeurologyDepartment of Medicine and the Neuroscience and Mental Health InstituteUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonABCanada
| | - Jesse Jackson
- Department of Physiology and the Neuroscience and Mental Health InstituteUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonABCanada
| | - Ambika Chandrasekhar
- Division of NeurologyDepartment of Medicine and the Neuroscience and Mental Health InstituteUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonABCanada
| | - Richard Fahlman
- Department of BiochemistryUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonABCanada
| | - Douglas W. Zochodne
- Division of NeurologyDepartment of Medicine and the Neuroscience and Mental Health InstituteUniversity of AlbertaEdmontonABCanada
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Hale OJ, Cooper HJ. Native Mass Spectrometry Imaging and In Situ Top-Down Identification of Intact Proteins Directly from Tissue. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR MASS SPECTROMETRY 2020; 31:2531-2537. [PMID: 32822168 DOI: 10.1021/jasms.0c00226] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) provides information on the spatial distribution of molecules within a biological substrate without the requirement for labeling. Its broad specificity, i.e., the capability to spatially profile any analyte ion detected, constitutes a major advantage over other imaging techniques. A separate branch of mass spectrometry, native mass spectrometry, provides information relating to protein structure through retention of solution-phase interactions in the gas phase. Integration of MSI and native mass spectrometry ("native MSI") affords opportunities for simultaneous acquisition of spatial and structural information on proteins directly from their physiological environment. Here, we demonstrate significant improvements in native MSI and associated protein identification of intact proteins and protein assemblies in thin sections of rat kidney by use of liquid extraction surface analysis on a state-of-the-art Orbitrap mass spectrometer optimized for intact protein analysis. Proteins of up to 47 kDa, including a trimeric protein complex, were imaged and identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oliver J Hale
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston B15 2TT, U.K
| | - Helen J Cooper
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston B15 2TT, U.K
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11
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Edwards A, Christensen EI, Unwin RJ, Norden AGW. Predicting the protein composition of human urine in normal and pathological states: Quantitative description based on Dent1 disease (
CLCN5
mutation). J Physiol 2020; 599:323-341. [DOI: 10.1113/jp280740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Aurélie Edwards
- Department of Biomedical Engineering Boston University Boston MA USA
| | | | - Robert J. Unwin
- Department of Renal Medicine Royal Free Campus University College London London UK
| | - Anthony G. W. Norden
- Department of Renal Medicine Royal Free Campus University College London London UK
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12
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Gómez-Baena G, Armstrong SD, Halstead JO, Prescott M, Roberts SA, McLean L, Mudge JM, Hurst JL, Beynon RJ. Molecular complexity of the major urinary protein system of the Norway rat, Rattus norvegicus. Sci Rep 2019; 9:10757. [PMID: 31341188 PMCID: PMC6656916 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-46950-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Major urinary proteins (MUP) are the major component of the urinary protein fraction in house mice (Mus spp.) and rats (Rattus spp.). The structure, polymorphism and functions of these lipocalins have been well described in the western European house mouse (Mus musculus domesticus), clarifying their role in semiochemical communication. The complexity of these roles in the mouse raises the question of similar functions in other rodents, including the Norway rat, Rattus norvegicus. Norway rats express MUPs in urine but information about specific MUP isoform sequences and functions is limited. In this study, we present a detailed molecular characterization of the MUP proteoforms expressed in the urine of two laboratory strains, Wistar Han and Brown Norway, and wild caught animals, using a combination of manual gene annotation, intact protein mass spectrometry and bottom-up mass spectrometry-based proteomic approaches. Cluster analysis shows the existence of only 10 predicted mup genes. Further, detailed sequencing of the urinary MUP isoforms reveals a less complex pattern of primary sequence polymorphism in the rat than the mouse. However, unlike the mouse, rat MUPs exhibit added complexity in the form of post-translational modifications, including the phosphorylation of Ser4 in some isoforms, and exoproteolytic trimming of specific isoforms. Our results raise the possibility that urinary MUPs may have different roles in rat chemical communication than those they play in the house mouse. Shotgun proteomics data are available via ProteomExchange with identifier PXD013986.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guadalupe Gómez-Baena
- Centre for Proteome Research, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, L697ZB, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Stuart D Armstrong
- Centre for Proteome Research, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, L697ZB, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Josiah O Halstead
- Mammalian Behaviour and Evolution Group, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Prescott
- Centre for Proteome Research, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, L697ZB, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah A Roberts
- Mammalian Behaviour and Evolution Group, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston, United Kingdom
| | - Lynn McLean
- Centre for Proteome Research, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, L697ZB, Liverpool, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan M Mudge
- EMBL-EBI, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, CB10 1SD, United Kingdom
| | - Jane L Hurst
- Mammalian Behaviour and Evolution Group, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston, United Kingdom
| | - Robert J Beynon
- Centre for Proteome Research, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, L697ZB, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
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13
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Liu Q, Zhou Z, Liu P, Zhang S. Comparative proteomic study of liver lipid droplets and mitochondria in mice housed at different temperatures. FEBS Lett 2019; 593:2118-2138. [PMID: 31234227 PMCID: PMC6771624 DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.13509] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2019] [Revised: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Laboratory mice are standardly housed at around 23 °C, setting them under chronic cold stress. Metabolic changes in the liver in mice housed at thermoneutral, standard and cold temperatures remain unknown. In the present study, we isolated lipid droplets and mitochondria from their livers in a comparative proteomic study aiming to investigate the changes. According to proteomic analysis, mitochondrial tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA cycle) and retinol metabolism are enhanced, whereas oxidative phosphorylation is not affected obviously under cold conditions, suggesting that liver mitochondria may increase TCA cycle capacity in biosynthetic pathways, as well as retinol metabolism, to help the liver to adapt. Based on proteomic and immunoblotting results, perilipin 5 and major urinary proteins are increased significantly, whereas mitochondrial pyruvate carrier is decreased dramatically under cold conditions, indicating their involvement in liver adaptation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingfeng Liu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Ziyun Zhou
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Pingsheng Liu
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China.,National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Shuyan Zhang
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
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14
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Zhang YH, Tang MM, Guo X, Gao XR, Zhang JH, Zhang JX. Associative learning is necessary for airborne pheromones to activate sexual arousal-linked brain areas of female rats. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-019-2685-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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15
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Charkoftaki G, Wang Y, McAndrews M, Bruford EA, Thompson DC, Vasiliou V, Nebert DW. Update on the human and mouse lipocalin (LCN) gene family, including evidence the mouse Mup cluster is result of an "evolutionary bloom". Hum Genomics 2019; 13:11. [PMID: 30782214 PMCID: PMC6381713 DOI: 10.1186/s40246-019-0191-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2018] [Accepted: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Lipocalins (LCNs) are members of a family of evolutionarily conserved genes present in all kingdoms of life. There are 19 LCN-like genes in the human genome, and 45 Lcn-like genes in the mouse genome, which include 22 major urinary protein (Mup) genes. The Mup genes, plus 29 of 30 Mup-ps pseudogenes, are all located together on chromosome (Chr) 4; evidence points to an “evolutionary bloom” that resulted in this Mup cluster in mouse, syntenic to the human Chr 9q32 locus at which a single MUPP pseudogene is located. LCNs play important roles in physiological processes by binding and transporting small hydrophobic molecules —such as steroid hormones, odorants, retinoids, and lipids—in plasma and other body fluids. LCNs are extensively used in clinical practice as biochemical markers. LCN-like proteins (18–40 kDa) have the characteristic eight β-strands creating a barrel structure that houses the binding-site; LCNs are synthesized in the liver as well as various secretory tissues. In rodents, MUPs are involved in communication of information in urine-derived scent marks, serving as signatures of individual identity, or as kairomones (to elicit fear behavior). MUPs also participate in regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism via a mechanism not well understood. Although much has been learned about LCNs and MUPs in recent years, more research is necessary to allow better understanding of their physiological functions, as well as their involvement in clinical disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgia Charkoftaki
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520-8034, USA
| | - Yewei Wang
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520-8034, USA
| | - Monica McAndrews
- Mouse Genome Informatics, The Jackson Laboratory, 600 Main Street, Bar Harbor, ME, 04609, USA
| | - Elspeth A Bruford
- HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee, European Bioinformatics Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SD, UK
| | - David C Thompson
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Skaggs School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Vasilis Vasiliou
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520-8034, USA.
| | - Daniel W Nebert
- Department of Environmental Health and Center for Environmental Genetics; Department of Pediatrics and Molecular and Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Research Center, University Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, 45267, USA
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16
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Sex pheromone levels are associated with paternity rate in brown rats. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s00265-018-2627-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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17
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Le Moëne O, Ågmo A. The neuroendocrinology of sexual attraction. Front Neuroendocrinol 2018; 51:46-67. [PMID: 29288076 DOI: 10.1016/j.yfrne.2017.12.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2017] [Revised: 12/21/2017] [Accepted: 12/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Sexual attraction has two components: Emission of sexually attractive stimuli and responsiveness to these stimuli. In rodents, olfactory stimuli are necessary but not sufficient for attraction. We argue that body odors are far superior to odors from excreta (urine, feces) as sexual attractants. Body odors are produced by sebaceous glands all over the body surface and in specialized glands. In primates, visual stimuli, for example the sexual skin, are more important than olfactory. The role of gonadal hormones for the production of and responsiveness to odorants is well established. Both the androgen and the estrogen receptor α are important in male as well as in female rodents. Also in primates, gonadal hormones are necessary for the responsiveness to sexual attractants. In males, the androgen receptor is sufficient for sustaining responsiveness. In female non-human primates, estrogens are needed, whereas androgens seem to contribute to responsiveness in women.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anders Ågmo
- Department of Psychology, University of Tromsø, Norway.
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18
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Loxley GM, Unsworth J, Turton MJ, Jebb A, Lilley KS, Simpson DM, Rigden DJ, Hurst JL, Beynon RJ. Glareosin: a novel sexually dimorphic urinary lipocalin in the bank vole, Myodes glareolus. Open Biol 2018; 7:rsob.170135. [PMID: 28878040 PMCID: PMC5627053 DOI: 10.1098/rsob.170135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2017] [Accepted: 07/27/2017] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The urine of bank voles (Myodes glareolus) contains substantial quantities of a small protein that is expressed at much higher levels in males than females, and at higher levels in males in the breeding season. This protein was purified and completely sequenced at the protein level by mass spectrometry. Leucine/isoleucine ambiguity was completely resolved by metabolic labelling, monitoring the incorporation of dietary deuterated leucine into specific sites in the protein. The predicted mass of the sequenced protein was exactly consonant with the mass of the protein measured in bank vole urine samples, correcting for the formation of two disulfide bonds. The sequence of the protein revealed that it was a lipocalin related to aphrodisin and other odorant-binding proteins (OBPs), but differed from all OBPs previously described. The pattern of secretion in urine used for scent marking by male bank voles, and the similarity to other lipocalins used as chemical signals in rodents, suggest that this protein plays a role in male sexual and/or competitive communication. We propose the name glareosin for this novel protein to reflect the origin of the protein and to emphasize the distinction from known OBPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Grace M Loxley
- Centre for Proteome Research, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK
| | - Jennifer Unsworth
- Centre for Proteome Research, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK
| | - Michael J Turton
- Centre for Proteome Research, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK
| | - Alexandra Jebb
- Mammalian Behaviour and Evolution Group, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston CH64 7TE, UK
| | - Kathryn S Lilley
- Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK.,Department of Biochemistry, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Deborah M Simpson
- Centre for Proteome Research, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK
| | - Daniel J Rigden
- Centre for Proteome Research, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK
| | - Jane L Hurst
- Mammalian Behaviour and Evolution Group, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston CH64 7TE, UK
| | - Robert J Beynon
- Centre for Proteome Research, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7ZB, UK
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19
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Roberts SA, Prescott MC, Davidson AJ, McLean L, Beynon RJ, Hurst JL. Individual odour signatures that mice learn are shaped by involatile major urinary proteins (MUPs). BMC Biol 2018; 16:48. [PMID: 29703213 PMCID: PMC5921788 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-018-0512-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2017] [Accepted: 03/28/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Reliable recognition of individuals requires phenotypic identity signatures that are both individually distinctive and appropriately stable over time. Individual-specific vocalisations or visual patterning are well documented among birds and some mammals, whilst odours play a key role in social recognition across many vertebrates and invertebrates. Less well understood, though, is whether individuals are recognised through variation in cues that arise incidentally from a wide variety of genetic and non-genetic differences between individuals, or whether animals evolve distinctive polymorphic signals to advertise identity reliably. As a bioassay to understand the derivation of individual-specific odour signatures, we use female attraction to the individual odours of male house mice (Mus musculus domesticus), learned on contact with a male’s scent marks. Results Learned volatile odour signatures are determined predominantly by individual differences in involatile major urinary protein (MUP) signatures, a specialised set of communication proteins that mice secrete in their urine. Recognition of odour signatures in genetically distinct mice depended on differences in individual MUP genotype. Direct manipulation using recombinant MUPs confirmed predictable changes in volatile signature recognition according to the degree of matching between MUP profiles and the learned urine template. Both the relative amount of the male-specific MUP pheromone darcin, which induces odour learning, and other MUP isoforms influenced learned odour signatures. By contrast, odour recognition was not significantly influenced by individual major histocompatibility complex genotype. MUP profiles shape volatile odour signatures through isoform-specific differences in binding and release of urinary volatiles from scent deposits, such that volatile signatures were recognised from the urinary protein fraction alone. Manipulation using recombinant MUPs led to quantitative changes in the release of known MUP ligands from scent deposits, with MUP-specific and volatile-specific effects. Conclusions Despite assumptions that many genes contribute to odours that can be used to recognise individuals, mice have evolved a polymorphic combinatorial MUP signature that shapes distinctive volatile signatures in their scent. Such specific signals may be more prevalent within complex body odours than previously realised, contributing to the evolution of phenotypic diversity within species. However, differences in selection may also result in species-specific constraints on the ability to recognise individuals through complex body scents. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12915-018-0512-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A Roberts
- Mammalian Behaviour & Evolution Group, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston, CH64 7TE, UK
| | - Mark C Prescott
- Centre for Proteome Research, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool, L69 7ZB, UK
| | - Amanda J Davidson
- Mammalian Behaviour & Evolution Group, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston, CH64 7TE, UK
| | - Lynn McLean
- Centre for Proteome Research, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool, L69 7ZB, UK
| | - Robert J Beynon
- Centre for Proteome Research, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool, L69 7ZB, UK
| | - Jane L Hurst
- Mammalian Behaviour & Evolution Group, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston, CH64 7TE, UK.
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20
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Guo X, Guo H, Zhao L, Zhang YH, Zhang JX. Two predominant MUPs, OBP3 and MUP13, are male pheromones in rats. Front Zool 2018; 15:6. [PMID: 29483934 PMCID: PMC5824612 DOI: 10.1186/s12983-018-0254-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2017] [Accepted: 02/02/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In rats, urine-borne male pheromones comprise organic volatile compounds and major urinary proteins (MUPs). A number of volatile pheromones have been reported, but no MUP pheromones have been identified in rat urine. RESULTS We used sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), isoelectric focusing electrophoresis (IEF), nano-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (nLC-MS/MS) after in gel digestion of the proteins and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and showed that the levels of two MUPs, odorant-binding protein 3 (OBP3) (i.e. PGCL4) and MUP13 (i.e. PGCL1), in urine and their mRNAs in liver were higher in males than in females and were suppressed by orchidectomy and restored by testosterone treatment (T treatment). We then generated recombinant MUPs (rMUPs) and found that the sexual attractiveness of urine from castrated males to females significantly increased after the addition of either recombinant OBP3 (rOBP3) or recombinant MUP13 (rMUP13). Using c-Fos immunohistochemistry, we further examined neuronal activation in the brains of female rats after they sniffed rOBP3 or rMUP13. Both rOBP3 and rMUP13 activated the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB), medial preoptic area (MPA), bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BST), medial amygdala (MeA), posteromedial cortical amygdala (PMCo) and ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMH), which participate in the neural circuits responsible for pheromone-induced sexual behaviours. In particular, more c-Fos-immunopositive (c-Fos-ir) cells were observed in the posterior AOB than in the anterior AOB. CONCLUSIONS The expression of OBP3 and MUP13 was male-biased and androgen-dependent. They attracted females and activated brain areas related to sexual behaviours in female rats, suggesting that both OBP3 and MUP13 are male pheromones in rats. Particularly, an OBP excreted into urine was exemplified to be a chemical signal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1-5 Beichen West Road, Beijing, 100101 China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 China
| | - Huifen Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1-5 Beichen West Road, Beijing, 100101 China
| | - Lei Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1-5 Beichen West Road, Beijing, 100101 China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049 China
| | - Yao-Hua Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1-5 Beichen West Road, Beijing, 100101 China
| | - Jian-Xu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Integrated Management of Pest Insects and Rodents in Agriculture, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1-5 Beichen West Road, Beijing, 100101 China
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21
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Ferkin MH. Odor Communication and Mate Choice in Rodents. BIOLOGY 2018; 7:E13. [PMID: 29370074 PMCID: PMC5872039 DOI: 10.3390/biology7010013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2017] [Revised: 01/15/2018] [Accepted: 01/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
This paper details how chemical communication is affected by ecological challenges such as finding mates. I list several conditions that affect the decision to attract mates, the decision to respond to the signals of potential mates and how the response depends on context. These mate-choice decisions and their outcomes will depend on the life history constraints placed on individuals such as their fecundity, sex, lifespan, opportunities to mate in the future and age at senescence. Consequently, the sender's decision to scent mark or self-groom as well as the receiver's choice of response represents a tradeoff between the current costs of the participant's own survival and future reproduction against that of reproducing now. The decision to scent nark and the response to the scent mark of opposite-sex conspecifics should maximize the fitness of the participants in that context.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael H Ferkin
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Memphis, Memphis, TN 38017, USA.
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22
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Jiang J, Creasy KT, Purnell J, Peterson ML, Spear BT. Zhx2 (zinc fingers and homeoboxes 2) regulates major urinary protein gene expression in the mouse liver. J Biol Chem 2017; 292:6765-6774. [PMID: 28258223 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m116.768275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2016] [Revised: 02/19/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
The mouse major urinary proteins (Mups) are encoded by a large family of highly related genes clustered on chromosome 4. Mups, synthesized primarily and abundantly in the liver and secreted through the kidneys, exhibit male-biased expression. Mups bind a variety of volatile ligands; these ligands, and Mup proteins themselves, influence numerous behavioral traits. Although urinary Mup protein levels vary between inbred mouse strains, this difference is most pronounced in BALB/cJ mice, which have dramatically low urinary Mup levels; this BALB/cJ trait had been mapped to a locus on chromosome 15. We previously identified Zhx2 (zinc fingers and homeoboxes 2) as a regulator of numerous liver-enriched genes. Zhx2 is located on chromosome 15, and a natural hypomorphic mutation in the BALB/cJ Zhx2 allele dramatically reduces Zhx2 expression. Based on these data, we hypothesized that reduced Zhx2 levels are responsible for lower Mup expression in BALB/cJ mice. Using both transgenic and knock-out mice along with in vitro assays, our data show that Zhx2 binds Mup promoters and is required for high levels of Mup expression in the adult liver. In contrast to previously identified Zhx2 targets that appear to be repressed by Zhx2, Mup genes are positively regulated by Zhx2. These data identify Zhx2 as a novel regulator of Mup expression and indicate that Zhx2 activates as well as represses expression of target genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jieyun Jiang
- From the Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics,
| | | | - Justin Purnell
- From the Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics
| | - Martha L Peterson
- From the Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics.,Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky 40536
| | - Brett T Spear
- From the Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, .,Department of Pharmacology and Nutritional Sciences, and.,Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky College of Medicine, Lexington, Kentucky 40536
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23
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Characterisation of urinary WFDC12 in small nocturnal basal primates, mouse lemurs (Microcebus spp.). Sci Rep 2017; 7:42940. [PMID: 28225021 PMCID: PMC5320513 DOI: 10.1038/srep42940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2016] [Accepted: 01/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Mouse lemurs are basal primates that rely on chemo- and acoustic signalling for social interactions in their dispersed social systems. We examined the urinary protein content of two mouse lemurs species, within and outside the breeding season, to assess candidates used in species discrimination, reproductive or competitive communication. Urine from Microcebus murinus and Microcebus lehilahytsara contain a predominant 10 kDa protein, expressed in both species by some, but not all, males during the breeding season, but at very low levels by females. Mass spectrometry of the intact proteins confirmed the protein mass and revealed a 30 Da mass difference between proteins from the two species. Tandem mass spectrometry after digestion with three proteases and sequencing de novo defined the complete protein sequence and located an Ala/Thr difference between the two species that explained the 30 Da mass difference. The protein (mature form: 87 amino acids) is an atypical member of the whey acidic protein family (WFDC12). Seasonal excretion of this protein, species difference and male-specific expression during the breeding season suggest that it may have a function in intra- and/or intersexual chemical signalling in the context of reproduction, and could be a cue for sexual selection and species recognition.
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24
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Nazarova GG, Proskurniak LP, Yuzhik EI. The Presence Of Strange Males' Odor Induces Behavioral Responses And Elevated Levels Of Low Molecular Weight Proteins Excreted In The Urine Of Mature Water Vole Males (Arvicola amphibius L). J Chem Ecol 2016; 42:270-6. [PMID: 26994612 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-016-0683-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2015] [Revised: 02/15/2016] [Accepted: 03/10/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
We hypothesized that low molecular weight urinary proteins play a role in male-male chemical communication in the water vole, Arvicola ampibius L. We studied the effect of placing soiled litter from strange males into the cage of another sexually mature male on the intensity of its digging and scattering, urination on the litter, and alteration in the levels of low molecular weight proteins (15-25 kDa) excreted in the urine before and after 4 days of exposure as determined by chip electrophoresis. The intensity of digging and scattering was positively correlated with levels of testosterone in serum of males exposed to strange male odors (r = 0.56; P < 0.01), as well as with the concentration of low molecular weight proteins in the donor's urine (r = 0.52, P < 0.05). At the end of the experiment, the level of low molecular weight protein in excreted urine was elevated in the males exposed to the strange male's litter. These results highlight the importance of quantitative inter-individual variation of low molecular weight urinary proteins in the modulation of the physiology and behavior of conspecifics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Galina G Nazarova
- Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals, Siberian Branch RAS, Frunze 11, Novosibirsk, 630091, Russia.
| | - Lyudmila P Proskurniak
- Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals, Siberian Branch RAS, Frunze 11, Novosibirsk, 630091, Russia
| | - Ekaterina I Yuzhik
- Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals, Siberian Branch RAS, Frunze 11, Novosibirsk, 630091, Russia.,Institute of Molecular Pathology and Pathomorphology, Timakova 2, Novosibirsk, 630117, Russia
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Message in a bottle: major urinary proteins and their multiple roles in mouse intraspecific chemical communication. Anim Behav 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2014.08.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
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