Murine scent mark microbial communities are genetically determined

Lanyon, Clare; Rushton, Stephen; O'Donnell, Anthony G.; Goodfellow, M.; Ward, Alan C.; Petrie, Marion; Jensen, Susanne Plesner; Gosling, L. M.; Penn, Dustin J.

doi:10.1111/j.1574-6941.2006.00252.x

Cited by 52 publications

(42 citation statements)

References 41 publications

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“…42,[46][47][48][49] The MHC-regulated differences in bacterial flora composition between individuals could allow for indirect association between MHC and body odors, 104 perhaps where commensal microflora metabolize secreted MHC-peptide fragments and excrete them as volatile odors. 41 Exciting recent evidence suggests that genetically determined microbial communities can influence scent marks of mice, 105 and that more individual MHC Class II diversity is associated with less diverse gut microbiota in wild sticklebacks. 106 This also highlights another potential reason to maintain optimal rather than maximal diversity -to preserve symbiotic microbiome diversity.…”

Section: Studies Of Mate Preference Cues In Humansmentioning

confidence: 99%

Examining the evidence for major histocompatibility complex-dependent mate selection in humans and nonhuman primates

Winternitz¹,

Abbate²

2015

RRB

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Compounds of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) are integral for effective vertebrate adaptive immune response, and are also implicated as cues for sexual selection. The evidence for this is supportive of MHC-based preference for diverse and dissimilar mating partners, in a range of vertebrates from fish to nonhuman primates. However, the evidence for a similar role of these genes and the evolutionary benefits of their diversity in human mate choice has been more controversial. Here, we review the results of 34 primary studies on MHC-mediated mate choice in humans and nonhuman primates in an effort to understand what processes may underscore, or belie, such differences. Both human and nonhuman primate studies show evidence of mate selection for MHC-dissimilarity and diversity, with fewer results in support of mate selection for optimal diversity or for specific "good gene". In general, stronger support comes from female-choice studies as opposed to male-choice studies (though male preferences and choice are investigated less often). This review suggests that the majority of mate choice results from contemporary human studies are consistent with our evolutionary history, but also reveals that only in humans do we find evidence for preference for mates with similar MHC composition. Overall, we show that contextual nuances, namely, population structure, multiple sensory cues that signal different information, and hormonal influences may explain the conflicting results observed for the role of MHC in human sexual preference, and argue for the exploration of such caveats in less well-studied systems to discern between general patterns and qualities unique to humans.

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Section: Studies Of Mate Preference Cues In Humansmentioning

confidence: 99%

Examining the evidence for major histocompatibility complex-dependent mate selection in humans and nonhuman primates

Winternitz¹,

Abbate²

2015

RRB

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Based on the fact that the results of the chemical analyses were consistent with the microbial results, they suggested that the volatile compounds regulated by MHC and background genes are influenced by commensal micro-organisms. This suggestion is based on the assumption that microflora are a source of some volatile compounds (Lanyon et al 2007). However, they provided no direct evidence that volatile compounds associated with MHC and/or background genes are regulated by commensal micro-organisms.…”

Section: Chemical Investigations Of Mhc Odourtype In Micementioning

confidence: 99%

In search of the chemical basis for MHC odourtypes

et al. 2010

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Mice can discriminate between chemosignals of individuals based solely on genetic differences confined to the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). Two different sets of compounds have been suggested: volatile compounds and non-volatile peptides. Here, we focus on volatiles and review a number of publications that have identified MHC-regulated compounds in inbred laboratory mice. Surprisingly, there is little agreement among different studies as to the identity of these compounds. One recent approach to specifying MHC-regulated compounds is to study volatile urinary profiles in mouse strains with varying MHC types, genetic backgrounds and different diets. An unexpected finding from these studies is that the concentrations of numerous compounds are influenced by interactions among these variables. As a result, only a few compounds can be identified that are consistently regulated by MHC variation alone. Nevertheless, since trained animals are readily able to discriminate the MHC differences, it is apparent that chemical studies are somehow missing important information underlying mouse recognition of MHC odourtypes. To make progress in this area, we propose a focus on the search for behaviourally relevant odourants rather than a random search for volatiles that are regulated by MHC variation. Furthermore, there is a need to consider a 'combinatorial odour recognition' code whereby patterns of volatile metabolites (the basis for odours) specify MHC odourtypes.

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“…By contrast, MHC class II molecules are mainly responsible for the immune presentation of extracellular pathogens (Bernatchez & Landry 2003). Class II molecules are more likely to influence the microbial flora of their vertebrate hosts, which may contribute to individual odour profiles (Schellinck et al 1995;Lanyon et al 2007). Nonetheless, both class I ( Leinders-Zufall et al 2004) and class II (Milinski et al 2005) peptide ligands have been found to influence chemosensory signals.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Self-referent MHC type matching in frog tadpoles

Villinger

Waldman

2008

Proc. R. Soc. B.

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Self/non-self recognition mechanisms underlie the development, immunology and social behaviour of virtually all living organisms, from bacteria to humans. Indeed, recognition processes lie at the core of how social cooperation evolved. Much evidence suggests that the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) both facilitates nepotistic interactions and promotes inbreeding avoidance. Social discrimination based on MHC differences has been demonstrated in many vertebrates but whether the labels used in discrimination are directly associated with the MHC, rather than with other genes with which it covaries, has remained problematic. Furthermore, effects of familiarity on natural preferences have not been controlled in most previous studies. Here we show that African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis) tadpoles discriminate among familiar full siblings based on MHC haplotype differences. Subjects (NZ261) from four parental crosses preferred siblings with which they shared MHC haplotypes to those with no MHC haplotypes in common. Using only full siblings in experimental tests, we controlled for genetic variation elsewhere in the genome that might influence schooling preferences. As test subjects were equally familiar with stimulus groups, we conclude that tadpole discrimination involves a self-referent genetic recognition mechanism whereby individuals compare their own MHC type with those of conspecifics.

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Murine scent mark microbial communities are genetically determined

Cited by 52 publications

References 41 publications

Examining the evidence for major histocompatibility complex-dependent mate selection in humans and nonhuman primates

Examining the evidence for major histocompatibility complex-dependent mate selection in humans and nonhuman primates

In search of the chemical basis for MHC odourtypes

Self-referent MHC type matching in frog tadpoles

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