The α_ 2u-globulin,a soluble protein identified in the urine and preputial gland of adult male rat is reported to be pheromone carrier.The pup preputial gland plays a significant role in chemical communication for mo...The α_ 2u-globulin,a soluble protein identified in the urine and preputial gland of adult male rat is reported to be pheromone carrier.The pup preputial gland plays a significant role in chemical communication for mother-young interaction;however,the presence of a pheromone-carrying protein in the pup preputial gland has not been confirmed.Therefore,the present study was carried out to identify the α_ 2u-globulin in the pup preputial gland by Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight mass spectrometry(MALDI-TOF).The preputial glands of prepubertal rats were subjected to one-dimensional SDS-PAGE.In-gel trypsin digestion of a 18 kDa band was carried out and analyzed by MALDI-TOF.The results of a MASCOT search showed the presence of α_ 2u-globulin in the 18 kDa band.In contrast to the report of the synthesis of this protein only in adult rats,the identification of this protein in pup preputial gland is significant.The results suggest that synthesis of α_ 2u-globulin in the rat preputial gland starts in the prepubertal stage itself.In prepubertal rats,the preputial gland is a source of pheromone for performing anogenital licking behaviour by the mother rat.Since α_ 2u-globulin belongs to the lipocalin(ligand carrier)family,it might carry the volatile for processing pheromonal communication in mother-pup bonding in rat.展开更多
基金supported by grants from the University Grants Commission and partially from UGC-SAP and DST-FIST,Government of India
文摘The α_ 2u-globulin,a soluble protein identified in the urine and preputial gland of adult male rat is reported to be pheromone carrier.The pup preputial gland plays a significant role in chemical communication for mother-young interaction;however,the presence of a pheromone-carrying protein in the pup preputial gland has not been confirmed.Therefore,the present study was carried out to identify the α_ 2u-globulin in the pup preputial gland by Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Time of Flight mass spectrometry(MALDI-TOF).The preputial glands of prepubertal rats were subjected to one-dimensional SDS-PAGE.In-gel trypsin digestion of a 18 kDa band was carried out and analyzed by MALDI-TOF.The results of a MASCOT search showed the presence of α_ 2u-globulin in the 18 kDa band.In contrast to the report of the synthesis of this protein only in adult rats,the identification of this protein in pup preputial gland is significant.The results suggest that synthesis of α_ 2u-globulin in the rat preputial gland starts in the prepubertal stage itself.In prepubertal rats,the preputial gland is a source of pheromone for performing anogenital licking behaviour by the mother rat.Since α_ 2u-globulin belongs to the lipocalin(ligand carrier)family,it might carry the volatile for processing pheromonal communication in mother-pup bonding in rat.
