Title: | Pheromone signalling in the mouse: role of urinary proteins and vomeronasal organ |
Author(s): | Cavaggioni A; Mucignat C; Tirindelli R; |
Address: | "Istituto di Fisiologia Umana, Universita di Padova, Italy. andreac@ux1.unipd.it" |
ISSN/ISBN: | 0003-9829 (Print) 0003-9829 (Linking) |
Abstract: | "The lipocalin protein family is characterized in structure by a conserved hydrophobic pocket which can bind small volatile odorants. The Major Urinary Proteins (MUPs) are a class of lipocalins found in the urine of adult male mice which concentrate in the urine odorants which confer a characteristic odor. The behavioural as well as the endocrine effects of mouse urine and MUPs are briefly reviewed, suggesting a complex role is pheromonal communication. Some recent data on the molecular receptors of the vomeronasal organ further suggest a complex interaction with the MUP system" |
Keywords: | Alpha-Globulins/chemistry/*physiology/urine Animals Carrier Proteins/*physiology Male Mice Odorants Pheromones/*physiology Proteins *Proteinuria Signal Transduction Vomeronasal Organ/*physiology; |
Notes: | "MedlineCavaggioni, A Mucignat, C Tirindelli, R eng Review Italy 1999/06/01 Arch Ital Biol. 1999 May; 137(2-3):193-200" |