Elephant albumin: a multipurpose pheromone shuttle.
(Z)-7-dodecenyl acetate (Z7-12:Ac) is present in the urine of female Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) approaching ovulation and functions as a female-to-male sex pheromone. Here we show that a significant fraction of the pheromone in the urine is bound to a protein, elephant serum albumin (ESA), and provide evidence for key physiological functions of urinary ESA. Our biochemical and behavioral experiments suggest a three-fold role of ESA in pheromone signaling: (1) transporting Z7-12:Ac from serum into urine; (2) extending the presence of the pheromone in the environment without hampering detection; and (3) targeting pheromone delivery to chemosensory organs through localized release of the ligand induced by a pH change. The exploitation of albumin in pheromone transport clearly distinguishes the elephant from other mammals studied, and complements the uniqueness of elephant anatomy, physiology, and behavior.
Lazar
Josef
J
Columbia University, Department of Biological Sciences, 1212 Amsterdam Avenue, New York, NY 10027, USA. jl2291@columbia.edu
Rasmussen
L E L
LE
Greenwood
David R
DR
Bang
In-Seok
IS
Prestwich
Glenn D
GD
D000085:Acetates / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000652:urine; D000418:Albumins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001682:Biological Availability; D001692:Biological Transport; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004606:Elephants; D005260:Female; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D015394:Molecular Structure; D010675:Pheromones / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000652:urine; D013379:Substrate Specificity; D013997:Time Factors; D014556:Urine / Q000737:chemistry
C437949:7-dodecenyl acetate; D000085:Acetates; D000418:Albumins; D010675:Pheromones