Title | A recombinant courtship pheromone affects sexual receptivity in a plethodontid salamander |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2008 |
Authors | Houck, L, Watts, RA, Arnold, SJ, Bowen, KE, Kiemnec, KM, Godwin, HA, Feldhoff, PW, Feldhoff, RC |
Journal | Chemical Senses |
Volume | 33 |
Pagination | 623-631 |
Type of Article | Journal Article |
ISSN | 0379-864X |
Abstract | Pheromones are important chemical signals for many vertebrates, particularly during reproductive interactions. In the terrestrial salamander Plethodon shermani, a male delivers proteinaceous pheromones to the female as part of their ritualistic courtship behavior. These pheromones increase the female's receptivity to mating, as shown by a reduction in courtship duration. One pheromone component in particular is plethodontid receptivity factor (PRF), a 22-kDa protein with multiple isoforms. This protein alone can act as a courtship pheromone that causes the female to be more receptive. We used a bacterial expression system to synthesize a single recombinant isoform of PRF. The recombinant protein was identical to the native PRF, based on mass spectrometry, circular dichroism spectra, and a behavioral bioassay that tested the effects of recombinant PRF (rPRF) on female receptivity (21% reduction in courtship duration). The rPRF appears to mimic the activity of a mixture of PRF isoforms, as well as a mixture of multiple different proteins that comprise the male courtship gland extract. Pheromones that are peptides have been characterized for some vertebrates; to date, however, rPRF is one of only 2 synthesized vertebrate proteins to retain full biological activity. |
URL | <Go to ISI>://WOS:000259202600005 |
DOI | 10.1093/chemse/bjn027 |