The urine of the house mouse, Mus domesticus, contains large amounts of proteins that are specifically synthesized in the liver to be secreted in the urine. These proteins, termed major urinary proteins (MUPs), have multiple roles in the communication of information in urine-derived scent marks. They bind low-molecular-mass volatile pheromones, and effect their delivery to the scent mark, followed by a slow release that is controlled by the rate of dissociation from the MUPs. However, this family of proteins is extremely polymorphic, more than might be expected for a simple role of ligand binding and release. We have analysed the polymorphism in wild mice, and have now shown that the pattern of MUPs in the urine acts as a type of individuality ‘bar code’ that signals the identity of the owner of the scent mark. This multiplicity of function, from a generic ligand-binding property to an extremely specific individuality, sets the MUPs apart from other lipocalin family proteins that are involved in chemical signalling.
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February 2003
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Conference Article|
February 01 2003
Multiple roles of major urinary proteins in the house mouse, Mus domesticus
R.J. Beynon;
R.J. Beynon
1
*Protein Function Group, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3BX. U.K.
1To whom correspondence should be addressed (e-mail r.beynon@liv.ac.uk).
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J.L. Hurst
J.L. Hurst
†Animal Behaviour Group, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 3BX, U.K.
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Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Online ISSN: 1470-8752
Print ISSN: 0300-5127
Copyright 2003 Biochemical Society
2003
Biochem Soc Trans (2003) 31 (1): 142–146.
Citation
R.J. Beynon, J.L. Hurst; Multiple roles of major urinary proteins in the house mouse, Mus domesticus. Biochem Soc Trans 1 February 2003; 31 (1): 142–146. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/bst0310142
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