Proteinaceous pheromone affecting female receptivity in a terrestrial salamander.
A 22-kilodalton protein was isolated from the submandibular (mental) gland of the male terrestrial salamander, Plethodon jordani (family: Plethodontidae). This proteinaceous pheromone, termed plethodontid receptivity factor (PRF), was experimentally delivered to the female during courtship and shown to increase female receptivity. In most plethodontid salamanders, ovulation occurs weeks or months after insemination, so the pheromone-induced change in receptivity is the only known function of PRF. The messenger RNAs corresponding to isoforms of PRF were transcribed into complementary DNA, cloned, sequenced, and shown to have homology with cytokines of the interleukin-6 family. Pheromone activity would represent a previously unrecognized function for cytokines.
Rollmann
S M
SM
Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Chicago, 1101 East 57 Street, Chicago, IL 60637, USA. Department of Zoology, Oregon State University, 3029 Cordley Hall, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA. smrollma@midway.uchicago.edu
Houck
L D
LD
Feldhoff
R C
RC
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D017386:Sequence Homology, Amino Acid; D012724:Sex Attractants / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology*; D014562:Caudata
C121545:PRF protein, Plethodon jordani; D012724:Sex Attractants