Male-specific protein (MSP): a new gene linked to sexual behavior and aggressiveness of tilapia males.

摘要: MSP is a male-specific protein initially identified in the serum of sexually active Sarotherodon galilaeus males, and shown herein to be present mature but not females, three other tilapia species. Cloning cDNA analysis its predicted amino-acid sequence revealed that it an outlier lipocalin contains signal peptide N-terminal region. The abundance highly homologous sequences found fish monophyletic relationship tetrapod Alpha-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) places as clade XII lipocalin. was undergo major N-glycosylation, characteristic many lipocalins. expression pattern MSP, determined at both RNA levels, points liver, head kidney testis production tissues, resembles typical some hormones. We secreted urine seminal fluids, skin mucus socially dominant males. Moreover, we discovered positive correlation between levels dominance aggressive behavior displayed by Based on these data, suggest novel may function intra inter-sex communication.