Characterization of Aplysia Alb-1, a candidate water-borne protein pheromone released during egg laying.

摘要: Pheromones are known to be important the innate behavior of marine animals. Attraction in Aplysia involves long-distance water-borne protein pheromones attractin, enticin, temptin and seductin, which released from albumen gland during egg laying. Other predicted act concert with these pheromones, but their identities unknown. To identify additional pheromone candidates, we employed differential library screening an cDNA library, RT-PCR, recombinant expression, rhinophore contraction bioassays immunocytochemistry. Alb-1 is expressed californica encodes a novel that does not share significant sequence identity any proteins database. RT-PCR analysis detected transcripts gland, exocrine atrial ovotestis. The precursor has signal peptide followed by 101-residue containing eight cysteine residues. Recombinant RP-HPLC, microsequence MALDI mass spectrometry analyses demonstrated mature was processed at paired basic residue site generate N-terminal C-terminal fragment; this consistent immunoblot observations on purified extracts. In (twitch) bioassays, induced contractions whereas did not. An antibody generated used for immunocytochemical present secretory cells, cordons eluates. Overall, data suggest may Alb-11–56 laying serve pheromonal function seductin.