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J Gen Physiol

Title:		The olfactory system of migratory adult sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) is specifically and acutely sensitive to unique bile acids released by conspecific larvae
Author(s):		Li W; Sorensen PW; Gallaher DD;
Address:		"Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, University of Minnesota, St. Paul 55108, USA"
Journal Title:		J Gen Physiol
Year:		1995
Volume:		105
Issue:		5
Page Number:		569 - 587
DOI:		10.1085/jgp.105.5.569
ISSN/ISBN:		0022-1295 (Print) 1540-7748 (Electronic) 0022-1295 (Linking)
Abstract:		"Larval sea lamprey inhabit freshwater streams and migrate to oceans or lakes to feed after a radical metamorphosis; subsequently, mature adults return to streams to spawn. Previous observations suggested that lamprey utilize the odor of conspecific larvae to select streams for spawning. Here we report biochemical and electrophysiological evidence that this odor is comprised of two unique bile acids released by larvae. High performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry demonstrated that larval sea lamprey produce and release two unique bile acids, allocholic acid (ACA) and petromyzonol sulfate (PS). Electro-olfactogram (EOG) recording also demonstrated that the olfactory system of migratory adult sea lamprey is acutely and specifically sensitive to ACA and PS; detection thresholds for these compounds were approximately 10(-12) M. ACA and PS were the most potent of 38 bile acids tested and cross-adaptation experiments suggested that adult sea lamprey have specific olfactory receptor sites associated with independent signal transduction pathways for these bile acids. These receptor sites specifically recognize the key substituents of ACA and PS such as a 5 alpha-hydrogen, three axial hydroxyls, and a C-24 sulfate ester or carboxyl. In conclusion, the unique lamprey bile acids, ACA and PS, are potent and specific stimulants of the adult olfactory system, strongly supporting the hypothesis that these unique bile acids function as migratory pheromones in lamprey"
Keywords:		Animals Bile Acids and Salts/chemistry/pharmacology/*physiology Cholic Acids/pharmacology/physiology Lampreys/growth & development/*physiology Larva/physiology Molecular Structure Olfactory Mucosa/drug effects/*physiology Pheromones/physiology Signal Tran;
Notes:		"MedlineLi, W Sorensen, P W Gallaher, D D eng Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S. 1995/05/01 J Gen Physiol. 1995 May; 105(5):569-87. doi: 10.1085/jgp.105.5.569"