Aphrodisin, an aphrodisiac lipocalin secreted in hamster vaginal secretions.
Vertebrates communicate through pheromones, which favor biological regulations within each species. Aphrodisin, a protein belonging to the lipocalin superfamily, found in hamster vaginal secretions, is detected by the male accessory olfactory system and induces or facilitates its copulatory behavior. Although much is known about aphrodisin structure, the question of whether aphrodisin bears itself the pheromonal function or is simply a carrier for hydrophobic small pheromones has not been definitely solved. Arguments based on use of recombinant aphrodisin deprived of any natural ligand and its capability to convey hamster pheromonal compounds will be discussed, together with progresses concerning putative natural ligand(s).
Briand
Loïc
L
Biochimie et Structure des Protéines, INRA, UR 477, F-78352 Jouy-en-Josas, France.
Trotier
Didier
D
Pernollet
Jean-Claude
JC
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000737:chemistry*; D006224:Cricetinae; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D008024:Ligands; D054835:Lipocalin 1; D008297:Male; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009833:Olfactory Pathways / Q000502:physiology; D010675:Pheromones / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D011487:Protein Conformation; D011506:Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000737:chemistry; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014621:Vagina / Q000378:metabolism*; D019147:Vomeronasal Organ / Q000502:physiology*
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D008024:Ligands; D054835:Lipocalin 1; D010675:Pheromones; D011506:Proteins; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C050082:aphrodisin protein, Mesocricetus auratus