title: Characterisation of urinary WFDC12 in small nocturnal basal primates, mouse lemurs (Microcebus spp.).
abstract: Mouse lemurs are basal primates that rely on chemo- and acoustic signalling for social interactions in their dispersed social systems. We examined the urinary protein content of two mouse lemurs species, within and outside the breeding season, to assess candidates used in species discrimination, reproductive or competitive communication. Urine from Microcebus murinus and Microcebus lehilahytsara contain a predominant 10 kDa protein, expressed in both species by some, but not all, males during the breeding season, but at very low levels by females. Mass spectrometry of the intact proteins confirmed the protein mass and revealed a 30 Da mass difference between proteins from the two species. Tandem mass spectrometry after digestion with three proteases and sequencing de novo defined the complete protein sequence and located an Ala/Thr difference between the two species that explained the 30 Da mass difference. The protein (mature form: 87 amino acids) is an atypical member of the whey acidic protein family (WFDC12). Seasonal excretion of this protein, species difference and male-specific expression during the breeding season suggest that it may have a function in intra- and/or intersexual chemical signalling in the context of reproduction, and could be a cue for sexual selection and species recognition.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Proteome Research, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7ZB, UK.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Unsworth
authors.affiliation: Centre for Proteome Research, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7ZB, UK.
authors.forename: Grace M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Loxley
authors.affiliation: Mammalian Behaviour &Evolution Group, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston, CH64 7TE, UK.
authors.forename: Amanda
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Davidson
authors.affiliation: Mammalian Behaviour &Evolution Group, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Leahurst Campus, Neston, CH64 7TE, UK.
authors.forename: Jane L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Hurst
authors.affiliation: Centre for Proteome Research, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7ZB, UK.
authors.forename: Guadalupe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gómez-Baena
authors.affiliation: Department of Zoology, University of Cambridge, Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3EJ, UK.
authors.forename: Nicholas I
authors.initials: NI
authors.lastname: Mundy
authors.affiliation: Centre for Proteome Research, Institute of Integrative Biology, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, L69 7ZB, UK.
authors.forename: Robert J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Beynon
authors.affiliation: Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: Elke
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zimmermann
authors.affiliation: Institute of Zoology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Hannover, Buenteweg 17, 30559 Hannover, Germany.
authors.forename: Ute
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Radespiel
mesh_terms: D000819:Animal Communication; D000818:Animals; D001947:Breeding; D016565:Cheirogaleidae / Q000502:physiology*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008894:Milk Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism / Q000652:urine*; D012621:Seasons; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry
chemical_list: D008894:Milk Proteins; C024471:whey acidic proteins