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Wojczulanis-Jakubas K, Hoover B, Jakubas D, Fort J, Grémillet D, Gavrilo M, Zielińska S, Zagalska-Neubauer M. Diversity of major histocompatibility complex of II B gene and mate choice in a monogamous and long-lived seabird, the Little Auk (Alle alle). PLoS One 2024; 19:e0304275. [PMID: 38865310 PMCID: PMC11168636 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304275] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024] Open
Abstract
The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) plays a key role in the adaptive immune system of vertebrates, and is known to influence mate choice in many species. In birds, the MHC has been extensively examined but mainly in galliforms and passerines while other taxa that represent specific ecological and evolutionary life-histories, like seabirds, are underexamined. Here, we characterized diversity of MHC Class II B exon 2 in a colonial pelagic seabird, the Little Auk (or Dovekie Alle alle). We further examined whether MHC variation could be maintained through balancing selection and disassortative mating. We found high polymorphism at the genotyped MHC fragment, characterizing 99 distinct alleles across 140 individuals from three populations. The alleles frequencies exhibited a similar skewed distribution in both sexes, with the four most commonly occurring alleles representing approximately 35% of allelic variation. The results of a Bayesian site-by-site selection analysis suggest evidence of balancing selection and no direct evidence for MHC-dependent disassortative mating preferences in the Little Auk. The latter result might be attributed to the high overall polymorphism of the examined fragment, which itself may be maintained by the large population size of the species.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Brian Hoover
- Farallon Institute, Petaluma, California, United States of America
| | - Dariusz Jakubas
- Department of Vertebrate Ecology and Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
| | - Jérôme Fort
- Littoral, Environnement et Sociétés (LIENSs), UMR 7266 CNRS – La Rochelle University, 17000 La Rochelle, France
| | - David Grémillet
- Excellence Chair Nouvelle Aquitaine - CEBC UMR 7372 CNRS, La Rochelle Université, Villiers-en-Bois, France & FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, South Africa
| | | | - Sylwia Zielińska
- Department of Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Gdansk, Gdansk, Poland
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2
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Nunley K, McGhee KE. Detection of relatedness in chemical alarm cues by a selfing vertebrate depends on population and the life stage producing the alarm cue. Behav Processes 2024; 219:105056. [PMID: 38782306 DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2024.105056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2023] [Revised: 05/13/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Aquatic prey have impressive abilities to extract information from a variety of chemical cues. For example, they can use the alarm cues released by wounded individuals during a predator attack to learn about predation risk, and they can also distinguish kin from non-kin individuals during interactions. However, it remains unclear whether animals can combine this information on predation risk with kin recognition of the particular individuals under threat. To examine how the relatedness of the individuals in alarm cue affects behaviour we used the self-fertilizing hermaphroditic mangrove rivulus (Kryptolebias marmoratus), in which lineages produce genetically identical offspring through selfing. We explored this in two populations that differ in their level of outcrossing. We measured activity before and after exposure to alarm cue made from individuals (either adults or embryos) from their own lineage or an unrelated lineage from the same population. Fish responded weakly to embryo alarm cues, but tended to reduce their activity more when the alarm cues were from an unrelated lineage compared to alarm cues from their own lineage, particularly in fish from the outcrossing population. In contrast, there was no effect of cue relatedness on the response to adult alarm cues but there was a strong population effect. Specifically, individuals from the outcrossing population tended to react more strongly to alarm cues compared to individuals from the predominantly selfing population. We discuss the potential roles of the major histocompatibility complex in cue detection, differences between adult vs embryo alarm cues in terms of concentration and information, and underlying differences among populations and genetic lineages in their production and detection of chemical cues. Whether this kin recognition offers adaptive benefits or is simply a consequence of being able to detect relatedness in living individuals would be an exciting area for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaitlyn Nunley
- Department of Biology, The University of the South, Sewanee, TN37383, USA
| | - Katie E McGhee
- Department of Biology, The University of the South, Sewanee, TN37383, USA.
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3
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Amo L, Amo de Paz G, Kabbert J, Machordom A. House sparrows do not exhibit a preference for the scent of potential partners with different MHC-I diversity and genetic distances. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0278892. [PMID: 36542616 PMCID: PMC9770374 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0278892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
MHC genes play a fundamental role in immune recognition of pathogens and parasites. Therefore, females may increase offspring heterozygosity and genetic diversity by selecting males with genetically compatible or heterozygous MHC. In birds, several studies suggest that MHC genes play a role in mate choice, and recent evidence suggests that olfaction may play a role in the MHC-II discrimination. However, whether olfaction is involved in MHC-I discrimination in birds remains unknown. Previous studies indicate that house sparrow females with low allelic diversity prefer males with higher diversity in MHC-I alleles. Here, we directly explored whether female and male house sparrows (Passer domesticus) could estimate by scent MHC-I diversity and/or dissimilarity of potential partners. Our results show that neither females nor males exhibit a preference related to MHC-I diversity or dissimilarity of potential partners, suggesting that MHC-I is not detected through olfaction. Further studies are needed to understand the mechanisms responsible for mate discrimination based on MHC-I in birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Amo
- Departamento de Ecología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
- Area of Biodiversity and Conservation, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Móstoles, Spain
- * E-mail:
| | - Guillermo Amo de Paz
- Departamento de Farmacología, Farmacognosia y Botánica, Universidad Complutense de Madrid (UCM), Madrid, Spain
| | - Johanna Kabbert
- Department of Animal Behaviour, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
- Department of Experimental Medical Science, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Annie Machordom
- Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
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Similarity of locomotor personality trait within parents improves their reproduction in the common vole (Microtus arvalis) under laboratory conditions. MAMMAL RES 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s13364-022-00649-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
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Bruce K, Ma J, Lawler C, Xie W, Stevenson PG, Farrell HE. Recent Advancements in Understanding Primary Cytomegalovirus Infection in a Mouse Model. Viruses 2022; 14:v14091934. [PMID: 36146741 PMCID: PMC9505653 DOI: 10.3390/v14091934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2022] [Revised: 08/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Animal models that mimic human infections provide insights in virus–host interplay; knowledge that in vitro approaches cannot readily predict, nor easily reproduce. Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infections are acquired asymptomatically, and primary infections are difficult to capture. The gap in our knowledge of the early events of HCMV colonization and spread limits rational design of HCMV antivirals and vaccines. Studies of natural infection with mouse cytomegalovirus (MCMV) have demonstrated the olfactory epithelium as the site of natural colonization. Systemic spread from the olfactory epithelium is facilitated by infected dendritic cells (DC); tracking dissemination uncovered previously unappreciated DC trafficking pathways. The olfactory epithelium also provides a unique niche that supports efficient MCMV superinfection and virus recombination. In this review, we summarize recent advances to our understanding of MCMV infection and spread and the tissue-specific mechanisms utilized by MCMV to modulate DC trafficking. As these mechanisms are likely conserved with HCMV, they may inform new approaches for preventing HCMV infections in humans.
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A Review of Suggested Mechanisms of MHC Odor Signaling. BIOLOGY 2022; 11:biology11081187. [PMID: 36009814 PMCID: PMC9405088 DOI: 10.3390/biology11081187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Simple Summary Immune genes of the vertebrate MHC vary among individuals. Each individual collection is optimally diverse to provide resistance against some infectious diseases but not too diverse to cause autoimmune diseases. MHC-dependent mate choice aims for optimally complementary MHC alleles. Each potential partner signals through body odor his/her MHC alleles. Identifying the signal molecules was a long-lasting puzzle solved only recently after many deviations as described. Commensal microbiota which are controlled by the individual MHC genes differ among individuals. They were suspected repeatedly to provide the signal, though mice raised germ-free could still smell MHC genes. Carrier hypotheses came in various versions, centered around the specificity of each MHC molecule for binding peptides from diseases, shown to T lymphocytes to induce the immune response. Volatiles of various origins were suggested to fill the place of the peptide and thus reflect the identity of the MHC molecule. Finally, the bound peptides themselves were identified as the sought info-chemicals. Synthesized peptides affect mate choice as predicted. Specific olfactory neurons were shown to react to these peptides but only to the anchors that define the binding specificity. Even eggs choose sperm to produce offspring with optimal MHC, though the signaling pathway needs further research. Abstract Although an individual’s mix of MHC immune genes determines its resistance, finding MHC-dependent mate choice occurred by accident in inbred mice. Inbred mice prefer MHC dissimilar mates, even when the choice was restricted to urine. It took decades to find the info-chemicals, which have to be as polymorphic as the MHC. Microbiota were suggested repeatedly as the origin of the odor signal though germ-free mice maintained normal preference. Different versions of the ‘carrier hypothesis’ suggested MHC molecules carry volatiles after the bound peptide is released. Theory predicted an optimal individual MHC diversity to maximize resistance. The optimally complementary mate should be and is preferred as several studies show. Thus, the odor signal needs to transmit the exact information of the sender’s MHC alleles, as do MHC ligand peptides but not microbiota. The ‘MHC peptide hypothesis’ assumes that olfactory perception of the peptide ligand provides information about the MHC protein in a key-lock fashion. Olfactory neurons react only to the anchors of synthesized MHC peptides, which reflect the binding MHC molecule’s identity. Synthesized peptides supplemented to a male’s signal affect choice in the predicted way, however, not when anchors are mutated. Also, the human brain detects smelled synthesized self-peptides as such. After mate choice, the lottery of meiosis of randomly paired oocyte and sperm haplotypes would often produce MHC non-optimal offspring. In sticklebacks, eggs select MHC-compatible sperm, thus prefer the best combination close to the population optimum.
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Palominos MF, Calfún C, Nardocci G, Candia D, Torres-Paz J, Whitlock KE. The Olfactory Organ Is a Unique Site for Neutrophils in the Brain. Front Immunol 2022; 13:881702. [PMID: 35693773 PMCID: PMC9186071 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.881702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
In the vertebrate olfactory tract new neurons are continuously produced throughout life. It is widely believed that neurogenesis contributes to learning and memory and can be regulated by immune signaling molecules. Proteins originally identified in the immune system have subsequently been localized to the developing and adult nervous system. Previously, we have shown that olfactory imprinting, a specific type of long-term memory, is correlated with a transcriptional response in the olfactory organs that include up-regulation of genes associated with the immune system. To better understand the immune architecture of the olfactory organs we made use of cell-specific fluorescent reporter lines in dissected, intact adult brains of zebrafish to examine the association of the olfactory sensory neurons with neutrophils and blood-lymphatic vasculature. Surprisingly, the olfactory organs contained the only neutrophil populations observed in the brain; these neutrophils were localized in the neural epithelia and were associated with the extensive blood vasculature of the olfactory organs. Damage to the olfactory epithelia resulted in a rapid increase of neutrophils both within the olfactory organs as well as the central nervous system. Analysis of cell division during and after damage showed an increase in BrdU labeling in the neural epithelia and a subset of the neutrophils. Our results reveal a unique population of neutrophils in the olfactory organs that are associated with both the olfactory epithelia and the lymphatic vasculature suggesting a dual olfactory-immune function for this unique sensory system.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Fernanda Palominos
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso (CINV), Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile.,Instituto de Neurociencia, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Cristian Calfún
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso (CINV), Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile.,Instituto de Neurociencia, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Gino Nardocci
- Faculty of Medicine, Center for Biomedical Research and Innovation (CIIB), Universidad de los Andes, Santiago, Chile.,IMPACT, Center of Interventional Medicine for Precision and Advanced Cellular Therapy, Santiago, Chile
| | - Danissa Candia
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso (CINV), Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile.,Instituto de Neurociencia, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Jorge Torres-Paz
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso (CINV), Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile.,Instituto de Neurociencia, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
| | - Kathleen E Whitlock
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso (CINV), Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile.,Instituto de Neurociencia, Universidad de Valparaíso, Valparaíso, Chile
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Jennings SL, Hoover BA, Wa Sin SY, Ebeler SE. Feather chemicals contain information about the major histocompatibility complex in a highly scented seabird. Proc Biol Sci 2022; 289:20220567. [PMID: 35611538 PMCID: PMC9130785 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.0567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Mate choice informed by the immune genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) may provide fitness benefits including offspring with increased immunocompetence. Olfactory cues are considered the primary mechanism organisms use to evaluate the MHC of potential mates, yet this idea has received limited attention in birds. Motivated by a finding of MHC-dependent mate choice in the Leach's storm-petrel (Oceanodroma leucorhoa), we examined whether the chemical profiles of this highly scented seabird contain information about MHC genes. Whereas previous studies in birds examined non-volatile compounds, we used gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to measure the volatile compounds emitted from feathers that potentially serve as olfactory infochemicals about MHC and coupled this with locus-specific genotyping of MHC IIB genes. We found that feather chemicals reflected individual MHC diversity through interactions with sex and breeding status. Furthermore, similarity in MHC genotype was correlated with similarity in chemical profiles within female-female and male-female dyads. We provide the first evidence that volatile chemicals from bird feathers can encode information about the MHC. Our findings suggest that olfaction likely aids MHC-based mate choice in this species and highlight a role for chemicals in mediating genetic mate choice in birds where this mode of communication has been largely overlooked.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah L. Jennings
- Graduate Group in Ecology, University of California Davis, Davis CA 95616, USA
| | - Brian A. Hoover
- Graduate Group in Ecology, University of California Davis, Davis CA 95616, USA,Schmid College of Science and Technology, Chapman University, Orange, CA 92886, USA
| | - Simon Yung Wa Sin
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pok Fu Lam Road, Hong Kong SAR
| | - Susan E. Ebeler
- Graduate Group in Ecology, University of California Davis, Davis CA 95616, USA,Department of Viticulture and Enology, University of California Davis, Davis CA 95616, USA
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9
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Whitlock KE, Palominos MF. The Olfactory Tract: Basis for Future Evolution in Response to Rapidly Changing Ecological Niches. Front Neuroanat 2022; 16:831602. [PMID: 35309251 PMCID: PMC8927807 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2022.831602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Within the forebrain the olfactory sensory system is unique from other sensory systems both in the projections of the olfactory tract and the ongoing neurogenic potential, characteristics conserved across vertebrates. Olfaction plays a crucial role in behaviors such as mate choice, food selection, homing, escape from predators, among others. The olfactory forebrain is intimately associated with the limbic system, the region of the brain involved in learning, memory, and emotions through interactions with the endocrine system and the autonomic nervous system. Previously thought to lack a limbic system, we now know that teleost fishes process emotions, have exceptional memories, and readily learn, behaviors that are often associated with olfactory cues. The association of neuromodulatory hormones, and more recently, the immune system, with odor cues underlies behaviors essential for maintenance and adaptation within natural ecological niches. Increasingly anthropogenic perturbations affecting ecosystems are impacting teleost fishes worldwide. Here we examine the role of the olfactory tract as the neural basis for the integration of environmental cues and resulting behaviors necessary for the regulation of biotic interactions that allow for future adaptation as the climate spins out of control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen E. Whitlock
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso (CINV), Universidad de ValparaísoValparaíso, Chile
- Instituto de Neurociencia, Universidad de ValparaísoValparaíso, Chile
- *Correspondence: Kathleen E. Whitlock
| | - M. Fernanda Palominos
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencia de Valparaíso (CINV), Universidad de ValparaísoValparaíso, Chile
- Instituto de Neurociencia, Universidad de ValparaísoValparaíso, Chile
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10
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Erofeeva MN, Alekseeva GS, Kim MD, Sorokin PA, Naidenko SV. Inbreeding Coefficient and Distance in MHC Genes of Parents as Predictors of Reproductive Success in Domestic Cat. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12020165. [PMID: 35049788 PMCID: PMC8772569 DOI: 10.3390/ani12020165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Revised: 01/04/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Inbreeding and low diversity in MHC (major histocompatibility complex) genes can have a significant impact on the survival and quality of offspring in mammals. At the same time, a decrease in genetic diversity can be disastrous for animals at individual and species level. For felines, studies of the effects of inbreeding and low variety in MHC genes are conducted on populations with a low number of animals, where there is a high probability of a shortage of available partners, and, accordingly, their choice. The use of model species, especially domestic cats, allows us to identify the main consequences of inbreeding and the lack of a choice of partners for future offspring. The survival of offspring in a domestic cat is primarily affected by the degree of similarity/difference in the genes of the parents’ MHC. Parents with the maximum distance in MHC genes have a larger proportion of surviving kittens, and this effect is most pronounced immediately after birth. In parents with the minimum distance in MHC genes, a significant percentage of kittens are either stillborn or die on the first day after birth. However, inbreeding and the similarity of parents in MHC genes in domestic cats did not affect the body mass of kittens. Abstract Inbreeding and low diversity in MHC genes are considered to have a negative effect on reproductive success in animals. This study presents an analysis of the number and body mass of offspring in domestic cat, depending on the inbreeding coefficient and the degree of similarity in MHC genes of class I and II in parents. Inbred partners had a lower number of live kittens at birth than outbred ones. At the same time, the inbreeding coefficient did not affect the litter size and the number of offspring who survived until the period of transition to solid food. The most significant predictor for the number of surviving offspring was the degree of parental similarity in MHC genes: the parents with the maximum distance in MHC genes had more survived kittens. Moreover, this effect was most pronounced immediately after birth. A significant percentage of kittens from parents with a minimum distance in MHC genes were either stillborn or died on the first day after birth. By the age of transition to solid food, this effect is no longer so pronounced. Furthermore, neither the inbreeding coefficient nor the distance in MHC genes of parents had any effect on the body mass of kittens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariya N. Erofeeva
- A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky pr. 33, 119071 Moscow, Russia; (G.S.A.); (P.A.S.); (S.V.N.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Galina S. Alekseeva
- A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky pr. 33, 119071 Moscow, Russia; (G.S.A.); (P.A.S.); (S.V.N.)
| | - Mariya D. Kim
- Department of Zoology, Institute of Zootechnics and Biology, Moscow Timiryazev Agricultural Academy, Russian State Agrarian University, Timiryazevskaya Str. 49, 127550 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Pavel A. Sorokin
- A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky pr. 33, 119071 Moscow, Russia; (G.S.A.); (P.A.S.); (S.V.N.)
| | - Sergey V. Naidenko
- A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, Leninsky pr. 33, 119071 Moscow, Russia; (G.S.A.); (P.A.S.); (S.V.N.)
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Ye Y, Swensen AC, Wang Y, Kaushal M, Salamon D, Knoten A, Nicora CD, Marks L, Gaut JP, Vijayan A, Orton DJ, Mudd PA, Parikh CR, Qian WJ, O'Halloran JA, Piehowski PD, Jain S. A Pilot Study of Urine Proteomics in Covid-19-associated Acute Kidney Injury. Kidney Int Rep 2021; 6:3064-3069. [PMID: 34642644 PMCID: PMC8494995 DOI: 10.1016/j.ekir.2021.09.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 10/27/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Yinyin Ye
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354, USA
| | - Adam C Swensen
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354, USA
| | - Yang Wang
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354, USA
| | - Madhurima Kaushal
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Diane Salamon
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Amanda Knoten
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Carrie D Nicora
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354, USA
| | - Laura Marks
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Joseph P Gaut
- Department of Pathology and Immunology, Kidney Translational Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Anitha Vijayan
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Daniel J Orton
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354, USA
| | - Philip A Mudd
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Chirag R Parikh
- Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Wei-Jun Qian
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354, USA
| | - Jane A O'Halloran
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Paul D Piehowski
- Biological Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA 99354, USA
| | - Sanjay Jain
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA.,Department of Pathology and Immunology, Kidney Translational Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, USA
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12
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Grieves LA, Gloor GB, Bernards MA, MacDougall-Shackleton EA. Preen gland microbiota covary with major histocompatibility complex genotype in a songbird. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2021; 8:210936. [PMID: 34754501 PMCID: PMC8493191 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.210936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/13/2021] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Pathogen-mediated selection at the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is thought to promote MHC-based mate choice in vertebrates. Mounting evidence implicates odour in conveying MHC genotype, but the underlying mechanisms remain uncertain. MHC effects on odour may be mediated by odour-producing symbiotic microbes whose community structure is shaped by MHC genotype. In birds, preen oil is a primary source of body odour and similarity at MHC predicts similarity in preen oil composition. Hypothesizing that this relationship is mediated by symbiotic microbes, we characterized MHC genotype, preen gland microbial communities and preen oil chemistry of song sparrows (Melospiza melodia). Consistent with the microbial mediation hypothesis, pairwise similarity at MHC predicted similarity in preen gland microbiota. Counter to this hypothesis, overall microbial similarity did not predict chemical similarity of preen oil. However, permutation testing identified a maximally predictive set of microbial taxa that best reflect MHC genotype, and another set of taxa that best predict preen oil chemical composition. The relative strengths of relationships between MHC and microbes, microbes and preen oil, and MHC and preen oil suggest that MHC may affect host odour both directly and indirectly. Thus, birds may assess MHC genotypes based on both host-associated and microbially mediated odours.
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Affiliation(s)
- L. A. Grieves
- Department of Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada N6A 5B7
| | - G. B. Gloor
- Department of Biochemistry, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada N6A 5C1
| | - M. A. Bernards
- Department of Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada N6A 5B7
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13
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Lessmann ME, Guducu C, Ibarlucea B, Hummel T. Electrophysiological Recordings from the Olfactory Epithelium and Human Brain in Response to Stimulation with HLA Related Peptides. Neuroscience 2021; 473:44-51. [PMID: 34407460 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2021.08.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2021] [Revised: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 08/03/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
In many species, social communication and mate choice are influenced by olfactory cues associated with the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). It has been reported that humans also respond to olfactory signals related to the human MHC-equivalent, the Human Leucocyte Antigen (HLA)-System, and exhibit an olfactory-mediated preference for potential mating partners with a dissimilar, disassortative, HLA-type compared to their own. The aim of this study was to investigate whether HLA-associated peptides, presented as volatile cues, elicit neuronal responses at the receptors in the human olfactory epithelium and can be consciously perceived. To this end the discrimination ability for peptides was tested in a 3-alternative forced choice model. Furthermore electro-olfactograms of the olfactory epithelium and EEG-derived chemosensory event related potentials were recorded using precisely controlled olfactometric stimulation with peptides and control odors. Based on responses from 52 young, healthy participants the peptides could not be discriminated and the electrophysiological signals provided no evidence for a specific response to the peptides which was in contrast to the control odors. In conclusion, within the current setup the results suggest that HLA-associated peptides do not produce specific olfactory activation in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie-Elisabeth Lessmann
- Smell and Taste Clinic, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
| | - Cagdas Guducu
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Bergoi Ibarlucea
- Institute of Materials Science, Max Bergmann Center of Biomaterials, and Center for Advancing Electronics Dresden (cfaed), Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | - Thomas Hummel
- Smell and Taste Clinic, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
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14
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Makarova KS, Wolf YI, Karamycheva S, Koonin EV. A Unique Gene Module in Thermococcales Archaea Centered on a Hypervariable Protein Containing Immunoglobulin Domains. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:721392. [PMID: 34489912 PMCID: PMC8416519 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.721392] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Molecular mechanisms involved in biological conflicts and self vs nonself recognition in archaea remain poorly characterized. We apply phylogenomic analysis to identify a hypervariable gene module that is widespread among Thermococcales. These loci consist of an upstream gene coding for a large protein containing several immunoglobulin (Ig) domains and unique combinations of downstream genes, some of which also contain Ig domains. In the large Ig domain containing protein, the C-terminal Ig domain sequence is hypervariable, apparently, as a result of recombination between genes from different Thermococcales. To reflect the hypervariability, we denote this gene module VARTIG (VARiable Thermococcales IG). The overall organization of the VARTIG modules is similar to the organization of Polymorphic Toxin Systems (PTS). Archaeal genomes outside Thermococcales encode a variety of Ig domain proteins, but no counterparts to VARTIG and no Ig domains with comparable levels of variability. The specific functions of VARTIG remain unknown but the identified features of this system imply three testable hypotheses: (i) involvement in inter-microbial conflicts analogous to PTS, (ii) role in innate immunity analogous to the vertebrate complement system, and (iii) function in self vs nonself discrimination analogous to the vertebrate Major Histocompatibility Complex. The latter two hypotheses seem to be of particular interest given the apparent analogy to the vertebrate immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kira S Makarova
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Yuri I Wolf
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Svetlana Karamycheva
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Eugene V Koonin
- National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD, United States
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15
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Milinski M. MHC mediates social odor via microbiota-it cannot work: a comment on Schubert et al. Behav Ecol 2021; 32:374-375. [PMID: 34104108 PMCID: PMC8177797 DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arab017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Manfred Milinski
- Max-Planck-Institute of Evolutionary Biology, August-Thienemann-Str. 2, Plön, Germany
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16
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Schubert N, Nichols HJ, Winternitz JC. How can the MHC mediate social odor via the microbiota community? A deep dive into mechanisms. Behav Ecol 2021. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arab004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) have long been linked to odor signaling and recently researchers’ attention has focused on MHC structuring of microbial communities and how this may in turn impact odor. However, understanding of the mechanisms through which the MHC could affect the microbiota to produce a chemical signal that is both reliable and strong enough to ensure unambiguous transmission of behaviorally important information remains poor. This is largely because empirical studies are rare, predictions are unclear, and the underlying immunological mechanisms governing MHC–microbiota interactions are often neglected. Here, we review the immunological processes involving MHC class II (MHC-II) that could affect the commensal community. Focusing on immunological and medical research, we provide background knowledge for nonimmunologists by describing key players within the vertebrate immune system relating to MHC-II molecules (which present extracellular-derived peptides, and thus interact with extracellular commensal microbes). We then systematically review the literature investigating MHC–odor–microbiota interactions in animals and identify areas for future research. These insights will help to design studies that are able to explore the role of MHC-II and the microbiota in the behavior of wild populations in their natural environment and consequently propel this research area forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadine Schubert
- Department of Animal Behavior, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Hazel J Nichols
- Department of Animal Behavior, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz, Bielefeld, Germany
- Department of Biosciences, Swansea University, Singleton Park, Swansea, UK
| | - Jamie C Winternitz
- Department of Animal Behavior, Bielefeld University, Konsequenz, Bielefeld, Germany
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17
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Gahr CL, Boehm T, Milinski M. Male validation factor for three-spined stickleback ( Gasterosteus aculeatus) mate choice likely evolutionarily conserved since 50 thousand years. ETHOL ECOL EVOL 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/03949370.2020.1789748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Christoph L. Gahr
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Plön, Germany
| | - Thomas Boehm
- Department of Developmental Immunology, Max-Planck-Institute for Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Manfred Milinski
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Plön, Germany
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18
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Individual Chemical Profiles in the Leach's Storm-Petrel. J Chem Ecol 2020; 46:845-864. [PMID: 32856136 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-020-01207-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Revised: 07/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/30/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Avian chemical communication, once largely overlooked, is a growing field that has revealed the important role that olfaction plays in the social lives of some birds. Leach's storm-petrels (Oceanodroma leucorhoa) have a remarkable sense of smell and a strong, musky scent. This long-lived, monogamous seabird relies on olfaction for nest relocation and foraging, but whether they use scent for communication is less well studied. They are nocturnally active at the breeding colony and yet successfully reunite with their mate despite poor night-vision, indicating an important role for non-visual communication. We investigated the chemical profiles of Leach's storm-petrels to determine whether there is socially relevant information encoded in their plumage odor. To capture the compounds comprising their strong scent, we developed a method to study the compounds present in the air surrounding their feathers using headspace stir bar sorptive extraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. We collected feathers from Leach's storm-petrels breeding on Bon Portage Island in Nova Scotia, Canada in both 2015 and 2016. Our method detected 142 commonly occurring compounds. We found interannual differences in chemical profiles between the two sampling years. Males and females had similar chemical profiles, while individuals had distinct chemical signatures across the two years. These findings suggest that the scent of the Leach's storm-petrel provides sociochemical information that could facilitate olfactory recognition of individuals and may inform mate choice decisions.
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19
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Bufe B, Teuchert Y, Schmid A, Pyrski M, Pérez-Gómez A, Eisenbeis J, Timm T, Ishii T, Lochnit G, Bischoff M, Mombaerts P, Leinders-Zufall T, Zufall F. Bacterial MgrB peptide activates chemoreceptor Fpr3 in mouse accessory olfactory system and drives avoidance behaviour. Nat Commun 2019; 10:4889. [PMID: 31653840 PMCID: PMC6814738 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-12842-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/02/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Innate immune chemoreceptors of the formyl peptide receptor (Fpr) family are expressed by vomeronasal sensory neurons (VSNs) in the accessory olfactory system. Their biological function and coding mechanisms remain unknown. We show that mouse Fpr3 (Fpr-rs1) recognizes the core peptide motif f-MKKFRW that is predominantly present in the signal sequence of the bacterial protein MgrB, a highly conserved regulator of virulence and antibiotic resistance in Enterobacteriaceae. MgrB peptide can be produced and secreted by bacteria, and is selectively recognized by a subset of VSNs. Exposure to the peptide also stimulates VSNs in freely behaving mice and drives innate avoidance. Our data shows that Fpr3 is required for neuronal detection and avoidance of peptides derived from a conserved master virulence regulator of enteric bacteria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernd Bufe
- Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine, Saarland University, 66424, Homburg, Germany.,Molecular Immunology Section, Faculty of Computer Science and Microsystems Engineering, University of Applied Sciences Kaiserslautern, Amerikastrasse 1, 66482, Zweibrücken, Germany
| | - Yannick Teuchert
- Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine, Saarland University, 66424, Homburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Schmid
- Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine, Saarland University, 66424, Homburg, Germany
| | - Martina Pyrski
- Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine, Saarland University, 66424, Homburg, Germany
| | - Anabel Pérez-Gómez
- Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine, Saarland University, 66424, Homburg, Germany.,Department of Molecular Medicine, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 N Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA, 92037, USA
| | - Janina Eisenbeis
- Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Saarland University, 66424, Homburg, Germany
| | - Thomas Timm
- Protein Analytics, Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Friedrichstrasse 24, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Tomohiro Ishii
- Max Planck Research Unit for Neurogenetics, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 4, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany.,Department of Cell Biology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Science, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-8510, Japan
| | - Günter Lochnit
- Protein Analytics, Institute of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Friedrichstrasse 24, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Markus Bischoff
- Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hygiene, Saarland University, 66424, Homburg, Germany
| | - Peter Mombaerts
- Max Planck Research Unit for Neurogenetics, Max-von-Laue-Strasse 4, 60438, Frankfurt, Germany
| | - Trese Leinders-Zufall
- Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine, Saarland University, 66424, Homburg, Germany
| | - Frank Zufall
- Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine, Saarland University, 66424, Homburg, Germany.
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20
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Santos PSC, Mezger M, Kolar M, Michler FU, Sommer S. The best smellers make the best choosers: mate choice is affected by female chemosensory receptor gene diversity in a mammal. Proc Biol Sci 2019; 285:20182426. [PMID: 30963892 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2018.2426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The products of the genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) are known to be drivers of pathogen resistance and sexual selection enhancing offspring genetic diversity. The MHC further influences individual odour types and social communication. However, little is known about the receptors and their volatile ligands that are involved in this type of chemical communication. Here, we have investigated chemosensory receptor genes that ultimately enable females to assess male genes through odour cues. As a model, we used an invasive population of North American raccoons ( Procyon lotor) in Germany. We investigated the effect of two groups of chemosensory receptor genes-trace amine-associated receptors (TAARs) and olfactory receptors (ORs)-on MHC-dependent mate choice. Females with more alleles of the TAAR or OR loci were more likely to choose a male with a diverse MHC. We additionally found that MHC class I genes have a stronger effect on mate choice than the recently reported effect for MHC class II genes, probably because of their immunological relevance for viral resistance. Our study is among the first to show a genetic link between behaviour and chemosensory receptor genes. These results contribute to understanding the link between genetics, olfaction and associated life-history decisions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo S C Santos
- 1 Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm , Ulm , Germany
| | - Maja Mezger
- 1 Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm , Ulm , Germany
| | - Miriam Kolar
- 1 Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm , Ulm , Germany
| | - Frank-Uwe Michler
- 2 Institute of Forest Botany and Forest Zoology, Technical University of Dresden , Tharandt , Germany
| | - Simone Sommer
- 1 Institute of Evolutionary Ecology and Conservation Genomics, University of Ulm , Ulm , Germany
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21
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Grogan KE, Harris RL, Boulet M, Drea CM. Genetic variation at MHC class II loci influences both olfactory signals and scent discrimination in ring-tailed lemurs. BMC Evol Biol 2019; 19:171. [PMID: 31438845 PMCID: PMC6704550 DOI: 10.1186/s12862-019-1486-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2018] [Accepted: 07/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diversity at the Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) is critical to health and fitness, such that MHC genotype may predict an individual's quality or compatibility as a competitor, ally, or mate. Moreover, because MHC products can influence the components of bodily secretions, an individual's body odors may signal its MHC composition and influence partner identification or mate choice. Here, we investigated MHC-based signaling and recipient sensitivity by testing for odor-gene covariance and behavioral discrimination of MHC diversity and pairwise dissimilarity in a strepsirrhine primate, the ring-tailed lemur (Lemur catta). METHODS First, we coupled genotyping of the MHC class II gene, DRB, with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry of genital gland secretions to investigate if functional genetic diversity is signaled by the chemical diversity of lemur scent secretions. We also assessed if the chemical similarity between individuals correlated with their MHC-DRB similarity. Next, we assessed if lemurs discriminated this chemically encoded, genetic information in opposite-sex conspecifics. RESULTS We found that both sexes signaled overall MHC-DRB diversity and pairwise MHC-DRB similarity via genital secretions, but in a sex- and season-dependent manner. Additionally, the sexes discriminated absolute and relative MHC-DRB diversity in the genital odors of opposite-sex conspecifics, suggesting that lemur genital odors function to advertise genetic quality. CONCLUSIONS In summary, genital odors of ring-tailed lemurs provide honest information about an individual's absolute and relative MHC quality. Complementing evidence in humans and Old World monkeys, we suggest that reliance on scent signals to communicate MHC quality may be important across the primate lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kathleen E Grogan
- University Program in Ecology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
- Department of Psychology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA.
- Pennsylvania State University, 516 Carpenter Building, University Park, PA, 16802, USA.
| | - Rachel L Harris
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Marylène Boulet
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bishop's University, Sherbrooke, Canada
| | - Christine M Drea
- University Program in Ecology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
- Department of Biology, Duke University, Durham, USA
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22
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Gerlach G, Tietje K, Biechl D, Namekawa I, Schalm G, Sulmann A. Behavioural and neuronal basis of olfactory imprinting and kin recognition in larval fish. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 222:222/Suppl_1/jeb189746. [PMID: 30728237 DOI: 10.1242/jeb.189746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Imprinting is a specific form of long-term memory of a cue acquired during a sensitive phase of development. To ensure that organisms memorize the right cue, the learning process must happen during a specific short time period, mostly soon after hatching, which should end before irrelevant or misleading signals are encountered. A well-known case of olfactory imprinting in the aquatic environment is that of the anadromous Atlantic and Pacific salmon, which prefer the olfactory cues of natal rivers to which they return after migrating several years in the open ocean. Recent research has shown that olfactory imprinting and olfactory guided navigation in the marine realm are far more common than previously assumed. Here, we present evidence for the involvement of olfactory imprinting in the navigation behaviour of coral reef fish, which prefer their home reef odour over that of other reefs. Two main olfactory imprinting processes can be differentiated: (1) imprinting on environmental cues and (2) imprinting on chemical compounds released by kin, which is based on genetic relatedness among conspecifics. While the first process allows for plasticity, so that organisms can imprint on a variety of chemical signals, the latter seems to be restricted to specific genetically determined kin signals. We focus on the second, elucidating the behavioural and neuronal basis of the imprinting process on kin cues using larval zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a model. Our data suggest that the process of imprinting is not confined to the central nervous system but also triggers some changes in the olfactory epithelium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriele Gerlach
- Institute of Biology and Environmental Sciences, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany .,Helmholtz Institute for Functional Marine Biodiversity Oldenburg (HIFMB), 26129 Oldenburg, Germany.,Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies and School of Marine and Tropical Biology, James Cook University, QLD 4811, Australia
| | - Kristin Tietje
- Institute of Biology and Environmental Sciences, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Daniela Biechl
- Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences & Department Biology II, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität Munich, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
| | - Iori Namekawa
- Friedrich Miescher Institute for Biomedical Research, 4058 Basel, Switzerland
| | - Gregor Schalm
- Institute of Biology and Environmental Sciences, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Astrid Sulmann
- Institute of Biology and Environmental Sciences, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, 26129 Oldenburg, Germany
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23
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Pawluk RJ, Stuart R, Garcia de Leaniz C, Cable J, Morphew RM, Brophy PM, Consuegra S. Smell of Infection: A Novel, Noninvasive Method for Detection of Fish Excretory-Secretory Proteins. J Proteome Res 2019; 18:1371-1379. [PMID: 30576144 PMCID: PMC6492949 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.8b00953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
![]()
Chemical
signals are produced by aquatic organisms following predatory
attacks or perturbations such as parasitic infection. Ectoparasites
feeding on fish hosts are likely to cause release of similar alarm
cues into the environment due to the stress, wounding, and immune
response stimulated upon infection. Alarm cues are often released
in the form of proteins, antimicrobial peptides, and immunoglobulins
that provide important insights into bodily function and infection
status. Here we outline a noninvasive method to identify potential
chemical cues associated with infection in fish by extracting, purifying,
and characterizing proteins from water samples from cultured fish.
Gel free proteomic methods were deemed the most suitable for protein
detection in saline water samples. It was confirmed that teleost proteins
can be characterized from water and that variation in protein profiles
could be detected between infected and uninfected individuals and
fish and parasite only water samples. Our novel assay provides a noninvasive
method for assessing the health condition of both wild and farmed
aquatic organisms. Similar to environmental DNA monitoring methods,
these proteomic techniques could provide an important tool in applied
ecology and aquatic biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca J Pawluk
- College of Science, Biosciences , Swansea University , Swansea , SA2 8PP , U.K
| | - Rebekah Stuart
- Wales Veterinary Science Centre , Buarth, Aberystwyth , Ceredigion SY23 1ND , U.K
| | | | - Joanne Cable
- School of Biosciences , Cardiff University , Cardiff , CF10 3AX , U.K
| | - Russell M Morphew
- IBERS , Aberystwyth University , Penglais, Aberystwyth , Ceredigion SY23 3FL , U.K
| | - Peter M Brophy
- IBERS , Aberystwyth University , Penglais, Aberystwyth , Ceredigion SY23 3FL , U.K
| | - Sofia Consuegra
- College of Science, Biosciences , Swansea University , Swansea , SA2 8PP , U.K
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24
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Gahr CL, Boehm T, Milinski M. Female assortative mate choice functionally validates synthesized male odours of evolving stickleback river-lake ecotypes. Biol Lett 2018; 14:20180730. [PMID: 30958253 PMCID: PMC6303515 DOI: 10.1098/rsbl.2018.0730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Accepted: 11/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
During mate choice decisions, females of many vertebrates use male olfactory cues to achieve immunogenetic optimality of their offspring. Three-spined sticklebacks ( Gasterosteus aculeatus) populating habitats that differ in their parasite communities evolve locally adapted combinations of genetic variants encoded at the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). Such adaptation confers optimal resistance to the local parasite fauna. Immunogenetic signatures co-evolved with local parasites favour population-specific assortative mate choice behaviour. Previous studies have shown that female sticklebacks evaluate male MHC-associated olfactory cues during the process of mate choice, but how habitat-specific information is exchanged between males and females has remained elusive. Here, we directly demonstrate the molecular nature of the olfactory cue providing habitat-specific information. Under controlled laboratory conditions, females that are ready to mate prefer mixtures of synthetic MHC peptide ligands mimicking the optimal allele number of their original population. These results imply that female sticklebacks can determine the number of MHC alleles of their prospective mates, compare it to their own immunogenetic status, and, if optimal with respect to the immunogenetic complementarity, accept the male as mate. Our results suggest a potentially common mechanism of ecological speciation in vertebrates that is based on the olfactory assessment of habitat-specific immunogenetic diversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph L. Gahr
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, August-Thienemann-Strasse 2, 24306 Plön, Germany
| | - Thomas Boehm
- Department of Developmental Immunology, Max-Planck-Institute for Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Stübeweg 51, 79108 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Manfred Milinski
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, August-Thienemann-Strasse 2, 24306 Plön, Germany
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25
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Ishii KK, Touhara K. Neural circuits regulating sexual behaviors via the olfactory system in mice. Neurosci Res 2018; 140:59-76. [PMID: 30389572 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2018.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2018] [Revised: 09/25/2018] [Accepted: 10/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Reproduction is essential for any animal species. Reproductive behaviors, or sexual behaviors, are largely shaped by external sensory cues exchanged during sexual interaction. In many animals, including rodents, olfactory cues play a critical role in regulating sexual behavior. What exactly these olfactory cues are and how they impact animal behavior have been a central question in the field. Over the past few decades, many studies have dedicated to identifying an active compound that elicits sexual behavior from crude olfactory components. The identified substance has served as a tool to dissect the sensory processing mechanisms in the olfactory systems. In addition, recent advances in genetic engineering, and optics and microscopic techniques have greatly expanded our knowledge of the neural mechanisms underlying the control of sexual behavior in mice. This review summarizes our current knowledge about how sexual behaviors are controlled by olfactory cues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kentaro K Ishii
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan; ERATO Touhara Chemosensory Signal Project, JST, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Kazushige Touhara
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, Graduate School of Agricultural and Life Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan; ERATO Touhara Chemosensory Signal Project, JST, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan.
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26
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Hacking JD, Stuart‐Fox D, Godfrey SS, Gardner MG. Specific MHC class I supertype associated with parasite infection and color morph in a wild lizard population. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:9920-9933. [PMID: 30386586 PMCID: PMC6202711 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.4479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2018] [Revised: 07/19/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is a large gene family that plays a central role in the immune system of all jawed vertebrates. Nonavian reptiles are underrepresented within the MHC literature and little is understood regarding the mechanisms maintaining MHC diversity in this vertebrate group. Here, we examined the relative roles of parasite-mediated selection and sexual selection in maintaining MHC class I diversity of a color polymorphic lizard. We discovered evidence for parasite-mediated selection acting via rare-allele advantage or fluctuating selection as ectoparasite load was significantly lower in the presence of a specific MHC supertype (functional clustering of alleles): supertype four. Based on comparisons between ectoparasite prevalence and load, and assessment of the impact of ectoparasite load on host fitness, we suggest that supertype four confers quantitative resistance to ticks or an intracellular tickborne parasite. We found no evidence for MHC-associated mating in terms of pair genetic distance, number of alleles, or specific supertypes. An association was uncovered between supertype four and male throat color morph. However, it is unlikely that male throat coloration acts as a signal of MHC genotype to conspecifics because we found no evidence to suggest that male throat coloration predicts male mating status. Overall, our results suggest that parasite-mediated selection plays a role in maintaining MHC diversity in this population via rare-allele advantage and/or fluctuating selection. Further work is required to determine whether sexual selection also plays a role in maintaining MHC diversity in agamid lizards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica D. Hacking
- College of Science and EngineeringFlinders UniversityBedford ParkSouth AustraliaAustralia
| | - Devi Stuart‐Fox
- School of BioSciencesUniversity of MelbourneParkvilleVictoriaAustralia
| | | | - Michael G. Gardner
- College of Science and EngineeringFlinders UniversityBedford ParkSouth AustraliaAustralia
- Evolutionary Biology UnitSouth Australian MuseumAdelaideSouth AustraliaAustralia
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27
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Smith C, Spence R, Reichard M. Sperm is a sexual ornament in rose bitterling. J Evol Biol 2018; 31:1610-1622. [PMID: 30066434 DOI: 10.1111/jeb.13357] [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: 05/17/2018] [Revised: 07/14/2018] [Accepted: 07/17/2018] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
In many taxa, odour cues mediate mating decisions. A key question is what these odours comprise, where they are produced, and what they signal. Using rose bitterling, fish that spawn in the gills of freshwater mussels, we investigated the role of sperm cues on female oviposition decisions using individuals of known MHC genotype. Male bitterling frequently released sperm prior to female oviposition and females responded with an increased probability of oviposition and released a greater number of eggs, particularly if males had a dissimilar MHC genotype. These mating preferences by females were shown to be adaptive, with MHC dissimilarity of males and females correlated positively with embryo survival. These results support a role for indirect benefits to rose bitterling mate choice, and we propose that sperm acts as a releaser pheromone in bitterling, functioning as a sexual ornament signalling male quality as a mate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carl Smith
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Brno, Czech Republic.,Department of Ecology and Vertebrate Zoology, University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland.,School of Biology and Bell-Pettigrew Museum of Natural History, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, UK
| | - Rowena Spence
- School of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of St. Andrews, St. Andrews, UK
| | - Martin Reichard
- Institute of Vertebrate Biology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Brno, Czech Republic
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28
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Hoover B, Alcaide M, Jennings S, Sin SYW, Edwards SV, Nevitt GA. Ecology can inform genetics: Disassortative mating contributes to MHC polymorphism in Leach's storm-petrels (Oceanodroma leucorhoa). Mol Ecol 2018; 27:3371-3385. [PMID: 30010226 DOI: 10.1111/mec.14801] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2018] [Revised: 05/31/2018] [Accepted: 06/20/2018] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
Studies of MHC-based mate choice in wild populations often test hypotheses on species exhibiting female choice and male-male competition, which reflects the general prevalence of females as the choosy sex in natural systems. Here, we examined mutual mate-choice patterns in a small burrow-nesting seabird, the Leach's storm-petrel (Oceanodroma leucorhoa), using the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). The life history and ecology of this species are extreme: both partners work together to fledge a single chick during the breeding season, a task that requires regularly travelling hundreds of kilometres to and from foraging grounds over a 6- to 8-week provisioning period. Using a 5-year data set unprecedented for this species (n = 1078 adults and 925 chicks), we found a positive relationship between variation in the likelihood of female reproductive success and heterozygosity at Ocle-DAB2, a MHC class IIB locus. Contrary to previous reports rejecting disassortative mating as a mechanism for maintaining genetic polymorphism in this species, here we show that males make significant disassortative mate-choice decisions. Variability in female reproductive success suggests that the most common homozygous females (Ocle-DAB2*01/Ocle-DAB2*01) may be physiologically disadvantaged and, therefore, less preferred as lifelong partners for choosy males. The results from this study support the role of mate choice in maintaining high levels of MHC variability in a wild seabird species and highlight the need to incorporate a broader ecological framework and sufficient sample sizes into studies of MHC-based mating patterns in wild populations in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian Hoover
- Graduate Group in Ecology, University of California, Davis, California
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California, Davis, California
| | - Miguel Alcaide
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Sarah Jennings
- Graduate Group in Ecology, University of California, Davis, California
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California, Davis, California
| | - Simon Yung Wa Sin
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong
| | - Scott V Edwards
- Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts
| | - Gabrielle A Nevitt
- Graduate Group in Ecology, University of California, Davis, California
- Department of Neurobiology, Physiology and Behavior, University of California, Davis, California
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29
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Krause ET, Bischof HJ, Engel K, Golüke S, Maraci Ö, Mayer U, Sauer J, Caspers BA. Olfaction in the Zebra Finch ( Taeniopygia guttata ): What Is Known and Further Perspectives. ADVANCES IN THE STUDY OF BEHAVIOR 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.asb.2017.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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30
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Andreou D, Eizaguirre C, Boehm T, Milinski M. Mate choice in sticklebacks reveals that immunogenes can drive ecological speciation. Behav Ecol 2017; 28:953-961. [PMID: 29622924 PMCID: PMC5873247 DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arx074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2016] [Revised: 03/27/2017] [Accepted: 05/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Adaptation to ecologically contrasting niches can lead to the formation of new species. Theoretically, this process of ecological speciation can be driven by pleiotropic "magic traits" that genetically link natural and sexual selection. To qualify as a true magic trait, the pleiotropic function of a gene must be reflected in biologically relevant mechanisms underlying both local adaptation and mate choice. The immune genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) contribute to parasite resistance and also play a major role in sexual selection. Hence, the MHC may encode a candidate magic trait. Using diverging 3-spined stickleback populations from a connected lake-river habitat, we show with mate choice experiments in a flow channel that polymorphic MHC genes probably underlie assortative mating with respect to particular habitat-adapted ecotypes, potentially resulting in reproductive isolation. By manipulating olfactory cues in controlled experiments, we show that female sticklebacks employ MHC-dependent male olfactory signals to select mates with which they can achieve a habitat-specific MHC gene structure that optimally protects their offspring against local parasites. By using MHC-based olfactory signals, females thus select individuals of their own population as mates. Our results demonstrate how mate choice and parasite resistance may be functionally linked. These findings suggest that MHC genes are pleiotropic and encode a true magic trait of biologically significant effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Demetra Andreou
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Department of Evolutionary Ecology, August- Thienemann- Str. 2, D-24306, Ploen, Germany
- Department of Life and Environmental Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Talbot Campus, Poole, BH12 5BB, UK
| | - Christophe Eizaguirre
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Department of Evolutionary Ecology, August- Thienemann- Str. 2, D-24306, Ploen, Germany
- GEOMAR| Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research, Department of Evolutionary Ecology of Marine Fishes, D-24105, Kiel, Germany
- Present address: School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK, and
| | - Thomas Boehm
- Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics, Department of Developmental Immunology, Stuebeweg 51, D-79108 Freiburg, Germany
| | - Manfred Milinski
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Biology, Department of Evolutionary Ecology, August- Thienemann- Str. 2, D-24306, Ploen, Germany
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31
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Lack of TRPM5-Expressing Microvillous Cells in Mouse Main Olfactory Epithelium Leads to Impaired Odor-Evoked Responses and Olfactory-Guided Behavior in a Challenging Chemical Environment. eNeuro 2017. [PMID: 28612045 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0135‐17.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
The mammalian main olfactory epithelium (MOE) modifies its activities in response to changes in the chemical environment. This process is essential for maintaining the functions of the olfactory system and the upper airway. However, mechanisms involved in this functional maintenance, especially those occurring via paracrine regulatory pathways within the multicellular MOE, are poorly understood. Previously, a population of non-neuronal, transient receptor potential M5-expressing microvillous cells (TRPM5-MCs) was identified in the MOE, and the initial characterization of these cells showed that they are cholinergic and responsive to various xenobiotics including odorants at high concentrations. Here, we investigated the role of TRPM5-MCs in maintaining olfactory function using transcription factor Skn-1a knockout (Skn-1a-/-) mice, which lack TRPM5-MCs in the MOE. Under our standard housing conditions, Skn-1a-/- mice do not differ significantly from control mice in odor-evoked electro-olfactogram (EOG) responses and olfactory-guided behaviors, including finding buried food and preference reactions to socially and sexually relevant odors. However, after a 2-wk exposure to high-concentration odor chemicals and chitin powder, Skn-1a-/- mice exhibited a significant reduction in their odor and pheromone-evoked EOG responses. Consequently, their olfactory-guided behaviors were impaired compared with vehicle-exposed Skn-1a-/- mice. Conversely, the chemical exposure did not induce significant changes in the EOG responses and olfactory behaviors of control mice. Therefore, our physiological and behavioral results indicate that TRPM5-MCs play a protective role in maintaining the olfactory function of the MOE.
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32
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Lack of TRPM5-Expressing Microvillous Cells in Mouse Main Olfactory Epithelium Leads to Impaired Odor-Evoked Responses and Olfactory-Guided Behavior in a Challenging Chemical Environment. eNeuro 2017; 4:eN-NWR-0135-17. [PMID: 28612045 PMCID: PMC5467397 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0135-17.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2017] [Revised: 05/18/2017] [Accepted: 05/29/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The mammalian main olfactory epithelium (MOE) modifies its activities in response to changes in the chemical environment. This process is essential for maintaining the functions of the olfactory system and the upper airway. However, mechanisms involved in this functional maintenance, especially those occurring via paracrine regulatory pathways within the multicellular MOE, are poorly understood. Previously, a population of non-neuronal, transient receptor potential M5-expressing microvillous cells (TRPM5-MCs) was identified in the MOE, and the initial characterization of these cells showed that they are cholinergic and responsive to various xenobiotics including odorants at high concentrations. Here, we investigated the role of TRPM5-MCs in maintaining olfactory function using transcription factor Skn-1a knockout (Skn-1a-/-) mice, which lack TRPM5-MCs in the MOE. Under our standard housing conditions, Skn-1a-/- mice do not differ significantly from control mice in odor-evoked electro-olfactogram (EOG) responses and olfactory-guided behaviors, including finding buried food and preference reactions to socially and sexually relevant odors. However, after a 2-wk exposure to high-concentration odor chemicals and chitin powder, Skn-1a-/- mice exhibited a significant reduction in their odor and pheromone-evoked EOG responses. Consequently, their olfactory-guided behaviors were impaired compared with vehicle-exposed Skn-1a-/- mice. Conversely, the chemical exposure did not induce significant changes in the EOG responses and olfactory behaviors of control mice. Therefore, our physiological and behavioral results indicate that TRPM5-MCs play a protective role in maintaining the olfactory function of the MOE.
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33
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No Evidence for Across-Population Scent Discrimination of Cloacal Gland Secretions in Tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus). J HERPETOL 2017. [DOI: 10.1670/15-062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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34
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Leclaire S, Strandh M, Mardon J, Westerdahl H, Bonadonna F. Odour-based discrimination of similarity at the major histocompatibility complex in birds. Proc Biol Sci 2017; 284:20162466. [PMID: 28077776 PMCID: PMC5247505 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2016.2466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2016] [Accepted: 12/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Many animals are known to preferentially mate with partners that are dissimilar at the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) in order to maximize the antigen binding repertoire (or disease resistance) in their offspring. Although several mammals, fish or lizards use odour cues to assess MHC similarity with potential partners, the ability of birds to assess MHC similarity using olfactory cues has not yet been explored. Here we used a behavioural binary choice test and high-throughput-sequencing of MHC class IIB to determine whether blue petrels can discriminate MHC similarity based on odour cues alone. Blue petrels are seabirds with particularly good sense of smell, they have a reciprocal mate choice and are known to preferentially mate with MHC-dissimilar partners. Incubating males preferentially approached the odour of the more MHC-dissimilar female, whereas incubating females showed opposite preferences. Given their mating pattern, females were, however, expected to show preference for the odour of the more MHC-dissimilar male. Further studies are needed to determine whether, as in women and female mice, the preference varies with the reproductive cycle in blue petrel females. Our results provide the first evidence that birds can use odour cues only to assess MHC dissimilarity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Leclaire
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, CNRS-CEFE, 1919 route de Mende, 34293 Montpellier, France
| | - Maria Strandh
- Molecular Ecology and Evolution Lab, Lund University, Ecology building, 22362 Lund, Sweden
| | - Jérôme Mardon
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, CNRS-CEFE, 1919 route de Mende, 34293 Montpellier, France
| | - Helena Westerdahl
- Molecular Ecology and Evolution Lab, Lund University, Ecology building, 22362 Lund, Sweden
| | - Francesco Bonadonna
- Centre d'Ecologie Fonctionnelle et Evolutive, CNRS-CEFE, 1919 route de Mende, 34293 Montpellier, France
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35
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Stilling RM, van de Wouw M, Clarke G, Stanton C, Dinan TG, Cryan JF. The neuropharmacology of butyrate: The bread and butter of the microbiota-gut-brain axis? Neurochem Int 2016; 99:110-132. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2016.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 587] [Impact Index Per Article: 65.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2016] [Revised: 05/30/2016] [Accepted: 06/21/2016] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
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36
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Nishita Y, Abramov AV, Kosintsev PA, Lin LK, Watanabe S, Yamazaki K, Kaneko Y, Masuda R. Genetic variation of the MHC class II DRB genes in the Japanese weasel, Mustela itatsi, endemic to Japan, compared with the Siberian weasel, Mustela sibirica. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016; 86:431-42. [PMID: 26593752 DOI: 10.1111/tan.12700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2015] [Revised: 10/07/2015] [Accepted: 10/21/2015] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genes encode proteins that play a critical role in vertebrate immune system and are highly polymorphic. To further understand the molecular evolution of the MHC genes, we compared MHC class II DRB genes between the Japanese weasel (Mustela itatsi), a species endemic to Japan, and the Siberian weasel (Mustela sibirica), a closely related species on the continent. We sequenced a 242-bp region of DRB exon 2, which encodes antigen-binding sites (ABS), and found 24 alleles from 31 M. itatsi individuals and 17 alleles from 21 M. sibirica individuals, including broadly distributed, species-specific and/or geographically restricted alleles. Our results suggest that pathogen-driven balancing selection have acted to maintain the diversity in the DRB genes. For predicted ABS, nonsynonymous substitutions exceeded synonymous substitutions, also indicating positive selection, which was not seen at non-ABS. In a Bayesian phylogenetic tree, two M. sibirica DRB alleles were basal to the rest of the sequences from mustelid species and may represent ancestral alleles. Trans-species polymorphism was evident between many mustelid DRB alleles, especially between M. itatsi and M. sibirica. These two Mustela species divided about 1.7 million years ago, but still share many MHC alleles, indicative of their close phylogenetic relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Y Nishita
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
| | - A V Abramov
- Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - P A Kosintsev
- Institute of Plant & Animal Ecology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - L-K Lin
- Department of Life Science, Tunghai University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - S Watanabe
- Seian University of Art and Design, Otsu, Japan
| | - K Yamazaki
- Forest Ecology Laboratory, Department of Forest Science, Faculty of Regional Environmental Science, Tokyo University of Agriculture, Fuchu, Japan
| | - Y Kaneko
- Department of Ecoregion Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Fuchu, Japan
| | - R Masuda
- Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan
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37
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Kromer J, Hummel T, Pietrowski D, Giani AS, Sauter J, Ehninger G, Schmidt AH, Croy I. Influence of HLA on human partnership and sexual satisfaction. Sci Rep 2016; 6:32550. [PMID: 27578547 PMCID: PMC5006172 DOI: 10.1038/srep32550] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2016] [Accepted: 08/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The major histocompatibility complex (MHC, called HLA in humans) is an important genetic component of the immune system. Fish, birds and mammals prefer mates with different genetic MHC code compared to their own, which they determine using olfactory cues. This preference increases the chances of high MHC variety in the offspring, leading to enhanced resilience against a variety of pathogens. Humans are also able to discriminate HLA related olfactory stimuli, however, it is debated whether this mechanism is of behavioural relevance. We show on a large sample (N = 508), with high-resolution typing of HLA class I/II, that HLA dissimilarity correlates with partnership, sexuality and enhances the desire to procreate. We conclude that HLA mediates mate behaviour in humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- J. Kromer
- Smell & Taste Clinic, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medizinische Fakultät Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - T. Hummel
- Smell & Taste Clinic, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medizinische Fakultät Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - D. Pietrowski
- Smell & Taste Clinic, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medizinische Fakultät Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - A. S. Giani
- DKMS German Bone Marrow Donor Center, Kressbach 1, 72072 Tübingen, Germany
| | - J. Sauter
- DKMS German Bone Marrow Donor Center, Kressbach 1, 72072 Tübingen, Germany
| | - G. Ehninger
- Department of Internal Medicine, Medizinische Fakultät Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany
| | - A. H. Schmidt
- DKMS German Bone Marrow Donor Center, Kressbach 1, 72072 Tübingen, Germany
| | - I. Croy
- Smell & Taste Clinic, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medizinische Fakultät Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany
- Department of Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Medizinische Fakultät Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany
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38
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sNebula, a network-based algorithm to predict binding between human leukocyte antigens and peptides. Sci Rep 2016; 6:32115. [PMID: 27558848 PMCID: PMC4997263 DOI: 10.1038/srep32115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2016] [Accepted: 08/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the binding between human leukocyte antigens (HLAs) and peptides is important to understand the functioning of the immune system. Since it is time-consuming and costly to measure the binding between large numbers of HLAs and peptides, computational methods including machine learning models and network approaches have been developed to predict HLA-peptide binding. However, there are several limitations for the existing methods. We developed a network-based algorithm called sNebula to address these limitations. We curated qualitative Class I HLA-peptide binding data and demonstrated the prediction performance of sNebula on this dataset using leave-one-out cross-validation and five-fold cross-validations. This algorithm can predict not only peptides of different lengths and different types of HLAs, but also the peptides or HLAs that have no existing binding data. We believe sNebula is an effective method to predict HLA-peptide binding and thus improve our understanding of the immune system.
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39
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Dearborn DC, Gager AB, McArthur AG, Gilmour ME, Mandzhukova E, Mauck RA. Gene duplication and divergence produce divergent MHC genotypes without disassortative mating. Mol Ecol 2016; 25:4355-67. [PMID: 27376487 DOI: 10.1111/mec.13747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2015] [Revised: 06/15/2016] [Accepted: 06/22/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) exhibit heterozygote advantage in immune defence, which in turn can select for MHC-disassortative mate choice. However, many species lack this expected pattern of MHC-disassortative mating. A possible explanation lies in evolutionary processes following gene duplication: if two duplicated MHC genes become functionally diverged from each other, offspring will inherit diverse multilocus genotypes even under random mating. We used locus-specific primers for high-throughput sequencing of two expressed MHC Class II B genes in Leach's storm-petrels, Oceanodroma leucorhoa, and found that exon 2 alleles fall into two gene-specific monophyletic clades. We tested for disassortative vs. random mating at these two functionally diverged Class II B genes, using multiple metrics and different subsets of exon 2 sequence data. With good statistical power, we consistently found random assortment of mates at MHC. Despite random mating, birds had MHC genotypes with functionally diverged alleles, averaging 13 amino acid differences in pairwise comparisons of exon 2 alleles within individuals. To test whether this high MHC diversity in individuals is driven by evolutionary divergence of the two duplicated genes, we built a phylogenetic permutation model. The model showed that genotypic diversity was strongly impacted by sequence divergence between the most common allele of each gene, with a smaller additional impact of monophyly of the two genes. Divergence of allele sequences between genes may have reduced the benefits of actively seeking MHC-dissimilar mates, in which case the evolutionary history of duplicated genes is shaping the adaptive landscape of sexual selection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donald C Dearborn
- Department of Biology, Bates College, Lewiston, ME, 04240, USA.,School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AX, UK
| | - Andrea B Gager
- Department of Biology, Bates College, Lewiston, ME, 04240, USA
| | - Andrew G McArthur
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Sciences, DeGroote School of Medicine, M.G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, L8S 4L8, Canada
| | - Morgan E Gilmour
- Ocean Sciences Department, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064, USA
| | | | - Robert A Mauck
- Department of Biology, Kenyon College, Gambier, OH, 43022, USA
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40
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Krautwurst D, Krautwurst T. A Review of Michael Stoddart. Chem Senses 2016; 41:473-4. [DOI: 10.1093/chemse/bjw004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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41
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Stowers L, Liberles SD. State-dependent responses to sex pheromones in mouse. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2016; 38:74-9. [PMID: 27093585 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2016.04.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2016] [Revised: 03/04/2016] [Accepted: 04/02/2016] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
A single sensory cue can evoke different behaviors that vary by recipient. Responses may be influenced by sex, internal state, experience, genotype, and coincident environmental stimuli. Pheromones are powerful inducers of mouse behavior, yet pheromone responses are not always stereotyped. For example, male and female mice respond differently to sex pheromones while mothers and virgin females respond differently to pup cues. Here, we review the origins of variability in responses to reproductive pheromones. Recent advances have indicated how response variability may arise through modulation at different levels of pheromone-processing circuitry, from sensory neurons in the periphery to central neurons in the vomeronasal amygdala. Understanding mechanisms underlying conditional pheromone responses should reveal how neural circuits can be flexibly sculpted to alter behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Stowers
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 02037, United States.
| | - Stephen D Liberles
- Department of Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, United States
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42
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Stempel H, Jung M, Pérez-Gómez A, Leinders-Zufall T, Zufall F, Bufe B. Strain-specific Loss of Formyl Peptide Receptor 3 in the Murine Vomeronasal and Immune Systems. J Biol Chem 2016; 291:9762-75. [PMID: 26957543 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.m116.714493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2016] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Formyl peptide receptor 3 (Fpr3, also known as Fpr-rs1) is a G protein-coupled receptor expressed in subsets of sensory neurons of the mouse vomeronasal organ, an olfactory substructure essential for social recognition. Fpr3 has been implicated in the sensing of infection-associated olfactory cues, but its expression pattern and function are incompletely understood. To facilitate visualization of Fpr3-expressing cells, we generated and validated two new anti-Fpr3 antibodies enabling us to analyze acute Fpr3 protein expression. Fpr3 is not only expressed in murine vomeronasal sensory neurons but also in bone marrow cells, the primary source for immune cell renewal, and in mature neutrophils. Consistent with the notion that Fpr3 functions as a pathogen sensor, Fpr3 expression in the immune system is up-regulated after stimulation with a bacterial endotoxin (lipopolysaccharide). These results strongly support a dual role for Fpr3 in both vomeronasal sensory neurons and immune cells. We also identify a large panel of mouse strains with severely altered expression and function of Fpr3, thus establishing the existence of natural Fpr3 knock-out strains. We attribute distinct Fpr3 expression in these strains to the presence or absence of a 12-nucleotide in-frame deletion (Fpr3Δ424-435). In vitro calcium imaging and immunofluorescence analyses demonstrate that the lack of four amino acids leads to an unstable, truncated, and non-functional receptor protein. The genome of at least 19 strains encodes a non-functional Fpr3 variant, whereas at least 13 other strains express an intact receptor. These results provide a foundation for understanding the in vivo function of Fpr3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hendrik Stempel
- From the Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine and
| | - Martin Jung
- the Department of Biochemistry, Saarland University School of Medicine, 66421 Homburg, Germany
| | | | | | - Frank Zufall
- From the Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine and
| | - Bernd Bufe
- From the Center for Integrative Physiology and Molecular Medicine and
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43
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Baum MJ, Cherry JA. Processing by the main olfactory system of chemosignals that facilitate mammalian reproduction. Horm Behav 2015; 68:53-64. [PMID: 24929017 DOI: 10.1016/j.yhbeh.2014.06.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2014] [Revised: 05/22/2014] [Accepted: 06/04/2014] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
This article is part of a Special Issue "Chemosignals and Reproduction". Most mammalian species possess two parallel circuits that process olfactory information. One of these circuits, the accessory system, originates with sensory neurons in the vomeronasal organ (VNO). This system has long been known to detect non-volatile pheromonal odorants from conspecifics that influence numerous aspects of social communication, including sexual attraction and mating as well as the release of luteinizing hormone from the pituitary gland. A second circuit, the main olfactory system, originates with sensory neurons in the main olfactory epithelium (MOE). This system detects a wide range of non-pheromonal odors relevant to survival (e.g., food and predator odors). Over the past decade evidence has accrued showing that the main olfactory system also detects a range of volatile odorants that function as pheromones to facilitate mate recognition and activate the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal neuroendocrine axis. We review early studies as well as the new literature supporting the view that the main olfactory system processes a variety of different pheromonal cues that facilitate mammalian reproduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Baum
- Departments of Biology, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
| | - James A Cherry
- Departments of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
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44
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Dearborn DC, Gager AB, Gilmour ME, McArthur AG, Hinerfeld DA, Mauck RA. Non-neutral evolution and reciprocal monophyly of two expressed Mhc class II B genes in Leach’s storm-petrel. Immunogenetics 2014; 67:111-23. [DOI: 10.1007/s00251-014-0813-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2014] [Accepted: 10/30/2014] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
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45
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Bastiaans E, Debets AJM, Aanen DK, van Diepeningen AD, Saupe SJ, Paoletti M. Natural variation of heterokaryon incompatibility gene het-c in Podospora anserina reveals diversifying selection. Mol Biol Evol 2014; 31:962-74. [PMID: 24448643 PMCID: PMC3969566 DOI: 10.1093/molbev/msu047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In filamentous fungi, allorecognition takes the form of heterokaryon incompatibility, a cell death reaction triggered when genetically distinct hyphae fuse. Heterokaryon incompatibility is controlled by specific loci termed het-loci. In this article, we analyzed the natural variation in one such fungal allorecognition determinant, the het-c heterokaryon incompatibility locus of the filamentous ascomycete Podospora anserina. The het-c locus determines an allogenic incompatibility reaction together with two unlinked loci termed het-d and het-e. Each het-c allele is incompatible with a specific subset of the het-d and het-e alleles. We analyzed variability at the het-c locus in a population of 110 individuals, and in additional isolates from various localities. We identified a total of 11 het-c alleles, which define 7 distinct incompatibility specificity classes in combination with the known het-d and het-e alleles. We found that the het-c allorecognition gene of P. anserina is under diversifying selection. We find a highly unequal allele distribution of het-c in the population, which contrasts with the more balanced distribution of functional groups of het-c based on their allorecognition function. One explanation for the observed het-c diversity in the population is its function in allorecognition. However, alleles that are most efficient in allorecognition are rare. An alternative and not exclusive explanation for the observed diversity is that het-c is involved in pathogen recognition. In Arabidopsis thaliana, a homolog of het-c is a pathogen effector target, supporting this hypothesis. We hypothesize that the het-c diversity in P. anserina results from both its functions in pathogen-defense, and allorecognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric Bastiaans
- Laboratory of Genetics, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg, Wageningen, The Netherlands
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46
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Trojan Genes or Transparent Genomes? Sexual Selection and Potential Impacts of Genetically Modified Animals in Natural Ecosystems. Evol Biol 2013. [DOI: 10.1007/s11692-013-9268-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
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47
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Rao X, De Boer RJ, van Baarle D, Maiers M, Kesmir C. Complementarity of Binding Motifs is a General Property of HLA-A and HLA-B Molecules and Does Not Seem to Effect HLA Haplotype Composition. Front Immunol 2013; 4:374. [PMID: 24294213 PMCID: PMC3827838 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2013.00374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2013] [Accepted: 10/31/2013] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Different human leukocyte antigen (HLA) haplotypes (i.e., the specific combinations of HLA-A, -B, -DR alleles inherited together from one parent) are observed in different frequencies in human populations. Some haplotypes, like HLA-A1-B8, are very frequent, reaching up to 10% in the Caucasian population, while others are very rare. Numerous studies have identified associations between HLA haplotypes and diseases, and differences in haplotype frequencies can in part be explained by these associations: the stronger the association with a severe (autoimmune) disease, the lower the expected HLA haplotype frequency. The peptide repertoires of the HLA molecules composing a haplotype can also influence the frequency of a haplotype. For example, it would seem advantageous to have HLA molecules with non-overlapping binding specificities within a haplotype, as individuals expressing such an haplotype would present a diverse set of peptides from viruses and pathogenic bacteria on the cell surface. To test this hypothesis, we collect the proteome data from a set of common viruses, and estimate the total ligand repertoire of HLA class I haplotypes (HLA-A-B) using in silico predictions. We compare the size of these repertoires to the HLA haplotype frequencies reported in the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP). We find that in most HLA-A and HLA-B pairs have fairly distinct binding motifs, and that the observed haplotypes do not contain HLA-A and -B molecules with more distinct binding motifs than random HLA-A and HLA-B pairs. In addition, the population frequency of a haplotype is not correlated to the distinctness of its HLA-A and HLA-B peptide binding motifs. These results suggest that there is a not a strong selection pressure on the haplotype level favoring haplotypes having HLA molecules with distinct binding motifs, which would result the largest possible presented peptide repertoires in the context of infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyu Rao
- Theoretical Biology and Bioinformatics, Utrecht University , Utrecht , Netherlands
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48
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Hinz C, Namekawa I, Namekawa R, Behrmann-Godel J, Oppelt C, Jaeschke A, Müller A, Friedrich RW, Gerlach G. Olfactory imprinting is triggered by MHC peptide ligands. Sci Rep 2013; 3:2800. [PMID: 24077566 PMCID: PMC3786304 DOI: 10.1038/srep02800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2013] [Accepted: 09/06/2013] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Olfactory imprinting on environmental, population- and kin-specific cues is a specific form of life-long memory promoting homing of salmon to their natal rivers and the return of coral reef fish to natal sites. Despite its ecological significance, natural chemicals for olfactory imprinting have not been identified yet. Here, we show that MHC peptides function as chemical signals for olfactory imprinting in zebrafish. We found that MHC peptides consisting of nine amino acids elicit olfactory imprinting and subsequent kin recognition depending on the MHC genotype of the fish. In vivo calcium imaging shows that some olfactory bulb neurons are highly sensitive to MHC peptides with a detection threshold at 1 pM or lower, indicating that MHC peptides are potent olfactory stimuli. Responses to MHC peptides overlapped spatially with responses to kin odour but not food odour, consistent with the hypothesis that MHC peptides are natural signals for olfactory imprinting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cornelia Hinz
- Department of Biology and Environmental Sciences, Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg, Carl von Ossietzky Str. 9-11, 26111 Oldenburg, Germany
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49
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Wu JH, Han YT, Yu JY, Wang TW. Pheromones from males of different familiarity exert divergent effects on adult neurogenesis in the female accessory olfactory bulb. Dev Neurobiol 2013; 73:632-45. [PMID: 23696538 DOI: 10.1002/dneu.22090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2013] [Revised: 03/15/2013] [Accepted: 05/10/2013] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Pheromones from urine of unfamiliar conspecific male animals can reinitiate a female's estrus cycle to cause pregnancy block through the vomeronasal organ (VNO)-accessory olfactory bulb (AOB)-hypothalamic pathway. This phenomenon is called the Bruce effect. Pheromones from the mate of the female, however, do not trigger re-entrance of the estrus cycle because an olfactory memory toward its mate is formed. The activity of the VNO-AOB-hypothalamic pathway is negatively modulated by GABAergic granule cells in the AOB. Since these cells are constantly replenished by neural stem cells in the subventricular zone (SVZ) of the lateral ventricle throughout adulthood and adult neurogenesis is required for mate recognition and fertility, we tested the hypothesis that pheromones from familiar and unfamiliar males may have different effects on adult AOB neurogenesis in female mice. When female mice were exposed to bedding used by a male or lived with one, cell proliferation and neuroblast production in the SVZ were increased. Furthermore, survival of newly generated cells in the AOB was enhanced. This survival effect was transient and mediated by norepinephrine. Interestingly, male bedding-induced newborn cell survival in the AOB but not cell proliferation in the SVZ was attenuated when females were subjected to bedding from an unfamiliar male. Our results indicate that male pheromones from familiar and unfamiliar males exert different effects on neurogenesis in the adult female AOB. Given that adult neurogenesis is required for reproductive behaviors, these divergent pheromonal effects may provide a mechanism for the Bruce effect. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 73: 632-645, 2013.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyun-Han Wu
- Department of Life Science, National Taiwan Normal University, Taipei, 116, Taiwan
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50
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Lindholm AK, Musolf K, Weidt A, König B. Mate choice for genetic compatibility in the house mouse. Ecol Evol 2013; 3:1231-47. [PMID: 23762510 PMCID: PMC3678478 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2012] [Revised: 02/14/2013] [Accepted: 02/20/2013] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
In house mice, genetic compatibility is influenced by the t haplotype, a driving selfish genetic element with a recessive lethal allele, imposing fundamental costs on mate choice decisions. Here, we evaluate the cost of genetic incompatibility and its implication for mate choice in a wild house mice population. In laboratory reared mice, we detected no fertility (number of embryos) or fecundity (ability to conceive) costs of the t, and yet we found a high cost of genetic incompatibility: heterozygote crosses produced 40% smaller birth litter sizes because of prenatal mortality. Surprisingly, transmission of t in crosses using +/t males was influenced by female genotype, consistent with postcopulatory female choice for + sperm in +/t females. Analysis of paternity patterns in a wild population of house mice showed that +/t females were more likely than +/+ females to have offspring sired by +/+ males, and unlike +/+ females, paternity of their offspring was not influenced by +/t male frequency, further supporting mate choice for genetic compatibility. As the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is physically linked to the t, we investigated whether females could potentially use variation at the MHC to identify male genotype at the sperm or individual level. A unique MHC haplotype is linked to the t haplotype. This MHC haplotype could allow the recognition of t and enable pre- and postcopulatory mate choice for genetic compatibility. Alternatively, the MHC itself could be the target of mate choice for genetic compatibility. We predict that mate choice for genetic compatibility will be difficult to find in many systems, as only weak fertilization biases were found despite an exceptionally high cost of genetic incompatibility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna K Lindholm
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology und Environmental Studies, University of Zurich Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057, Zurich, Switzerland
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