|
Li, W., P. W. Sorensen, and D. D. Gallaher, 1995. The
Olfactory System of Migratory Adult Sea Lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) Is
Specifically and Acutely Sensitive to Unique Bile Acids Released by Conspecific Larvae,
University of Minnesota, Minnesota Sea Grant College Program
Reprinted from J. Gen. Physiol.Volume
105, May 1995, 569-587 with permission of The Rockefeller University Press
0022-1295/95/05/0569/19 $2.00
The Olfactory System of Migratory Adult Sea Lamprey (Petromyzon
marinus) Is Specifically and Acutely Sensitive to Unique Bile Acids Released by
Conspecific Larvae
Abstract
Larval sea lamprey inhabit freshwater streams and migrate to oceans or lakes to feed after
a radical metamorphosis; subsequently, mature adults return to streams to spawn. Previous
observations suggested that lamprey utilize the odor of conspecific larvae to select
streams for spawning. Here we report biochemical and electrophysiological evidence that
this odor is comprised of two unique bile acids released by larvae. High performance
liquid chromatography and mass spectrometer demonstrated that larval sea lamprey produce
and release two unique bile acids, allocholic acid (ACA) and petromyzonol sulfate (PS).
Electro-olfactogram (FOG) recording also demonstrated that the olfactory system of
migratory adult sea lamprey is acutely and specifically sensitive to ACA and PS; detection
thresholds for these compounds were ~10-12 M. ACA and PS were the most potent of 38 bile
acids tested and cross-adaptation experiments suggested that adult sea lamprey have
specific olfactory receptor sites associated with independent signal transduction pathways
for these bile acids. These receptor sites specifically recognize the key substituents of
ACA and PS such as a 5-hydrogen, three axial hydroxyl's, and a C-24 sulfate ester or
carboxyl. In conclusion, the unique lamprey bile acids, ACA and PS, are potent and
specific stimulants of the adult olfactory system, strongly supporting the hypothesis that
these unique bile acids function as migratory pheromones in lamprey.
Contact: P. W. Sorensen, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, University of
Minnesota, 1980 Folwell Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108. pws@finsandfur.fw.umn.edu
Keywords: Basic_biology, Colonization, Sea_lamprey
Product Type: Basic_biology, Research
User Type: General
|