title: α2u-globulins mediate manipulation of host attractiveness in Toxoplasma gondii-Rattus novergicus association.
abstract: Uninfected female rats (Rattus novergicus) exhibit greater attraction to the males infected with protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. This phenomenon is contrary to the aversion towards infected males observed in multitude of other host-parasite associations. In this report, we describe a proximate mechanism for this anomaly. We demonstrate that T. gondii infection enhances hepatic production and urinary excretion of α2u-globulins in rats. We further demonstrate that α2u-globulins are sufficient to recapitulate male sexual attractiveness akin to effects of the infection. This manipulation possibly results in greater horizontal transmission of this parasite between the infected male and the uninfected female. It supports the notion that in some evolutionary niches parasites can alter host sexual signaling, likely leading to an increased rate of sexual transmission.
authors: School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore.
authors: Anand
authors: A
authors: Vasudevan
authors: School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore.
authors: Vineet
authors: V
authors: Kumar
authors: Temasek Life Sciences Laboratories, Singapore, Singapore.
authors: Yin Ning
authors: YN
authors: Chiang
authors: 1] Temasek Life Sciences Laboratories, Singapore, Singapore [2] Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore.
authors: Joanne Y
authors: JY
authors: Yew
authors: School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore.
authors: Sabna
authors: S
authors: Cheemadan
authors: School of Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore.
authors: Ajai
authors: A
authors: Vyas
mesh_terms: D000510:Alpha-Globulins / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000652:urine; D000818:Animals; D004971:Estrus; D005260:Female; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D008099:Liver / Q000378:metabolism / Q000469:parasitology; D008297:Male; D010641:Phenotype; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D051381:Rats; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014122:Toxoplasma; D014123:Toxoplasmosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D000510:Alpha-Globulins; C013803:alpha 2u globulin