title: The major urinary protein system in the rat.
abstract: The genomes of rats and mice both contain a cluster of multiple genes that encode small (18-20 kDa) eight-stranded β-barrel lipocalins that are expressed in multiple secretory tissues, some of which enter urine via hepatic biosynthesis. These proteins have been given different names, but are mostly generically referred to as MUPs (major urinary proteins). The mouse MUP cluster is increasingly well understood, and, in particular, a number of roles for MUPs in chemical communication between conspecifics have been established. By contrast, the literature on the rat orthologues is much less well developed and is fragmented. In the present review, we summarize current knowledge on the MUPs from the Norway (or brown) rat, Rattus norvegicus.
authors.affiliation: *Protein Function Group, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool L69 7ZB, U.K.
authors.forename: Guadalupe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gómez-Baena
authors.affiliation: *Protein Function Group, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool L69 7ZB, U.K.
authors.forename: Stuart D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Armstrong
authors.affiliation: †NMR Centre, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool L69 7ZB, U.K.
authors.forename: Marie M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Phelan
authors.affiliation: ‡Mammalian Behaviour and Evolution Group, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool L69 7ZB, U.K.
authors.forename: Jane L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Hurst
authors.affiliation: *Protein Function Group, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Crown Street, Liverpool L69 7ZB, U.K.
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Beynon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D005810:Multigene Family / Q000235:genetics; D011506:Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D051381:Rats
chemical_list: D011506:Proteins; C035737:major urinary proteins