Purification and characterization of a chemoattractant from electric shock-induced earthworm secretion, its receptor binding, and signal transduction through the vomeronasal system of garter snakes.

Jiang, Xian Cheng; Inouchi, Jun; Wang, D.; Halpern, Mimi

doi:10.1016/s0021-9258(19)38950-1

Cited by 58 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 46 publications

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“…No sex pheromone has yet been described or characterized in earthworms, although it has been suggested that they can leave trails containing pheromones (Rosenkoetter and Boice 1975) and that they present chemoreceptors (Laverack 1960). Alarm pheromones have been detected in earthworms (Ressler et al 1968), which can deter other members of the species but can act as a chemoattractant to other animals such as snakes (Jiang et al 1990). Also, one hormone, Annetocin, which induces the egg-laying behavior in Eisenia fetida, has been described (Oumi et al 1996).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pheromone Evolution, Reproductive Genes, and Comparative Transcriptomics in Mediterranean Earthworms (Annelida, Oligochaeta, Hormogastridae)

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Fernàndez-Guerra

et al. 2013

Molecular Biology and Evolution

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Animals inhabiting cryptic environments are often subjected to morphological stasis due to the lack of obvious agents driving selection, and hence chemical cues may be important drivers of sexual selection and individual recognition. Here, we provide a comparative analysis of de novo-assembled transcriptomes in two Mediterranean earthworm species with the objective to detect pheromone proteins and other reproductive genes that could be involved in cryptic speciation processes, as recently characterized in other earthworm species. cDNA libraries of unspecific tissue of Hormogaster samnitica and three different tissues of H. elisae were sequenced in an Illumina Genome Analyzer II or Hi-Seq. Two pheromones, Attractin and Temptin were detected in all tissue samples and both species. Attractin resulted in a reliable marker for phylogenetic inference. Temptin contained multiple paralogs and was slightly overexpressed in the digestive tissue, suggesting that these pheromones could be released with the casts. Genes involved in sexual determination and fertilization were highly expressed in reproductive tissue. This is thus the first detailed analysis of the molecular machinery of sexual reproduction in earthworms.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pheromone Evolution, Reproductive Genes, and Comparative Transcriptomics in Mediterranean Earthworms (Annelida, Oligochaeta, Hormogastridae)

Novo

Riesgo

Fernàndez-Guerra

et al. 2013

Molecular Biology and Evolution

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“…The tongue tines may deliver their chemicals to the paired plicae in the floor of the mouth, but destruction of the plicae does not significantly impair transfer of odors to the VNO from the tongue, suggesting that the plicae may not be important in maintaining lateralization of this system (Halpern & Borghjid, 1997). Chemical cues in the lumen of the VNO bind to the sensory epithelial receptor cells of the VNS (Jiang et al, 1990), and the axons of the receptor cells bundle together to form the vomeronasal nerve (VNN). Each VNN projects from its own VNO to its corresponding accessory olfactory bulb (Lohman & Smeets, 1993).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

The forked tongue and edge detection in snakes (Crotalus oreganus): An experimental test.

Parker¹,

Young²,

Kardong³

2008

Journal of Comparative Psychology

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Many stimulus-detection systems are lateralized to allow for simultaneous comparison of paired stimuli. It has been hypothesized that the deeply forked tongue of snakes and some derived lizards functions as a chemical edge detector where cues gathered by each tine are kept separate to provide two points of lateral odor assessment by the central nervous system via vomeronasal input. While following a chemical trail, one time can be on the trail, the other off, and such differential information prompts the snake to turn back to the trail. The authors tested this hypothesis in rattlesnakes within a predatory context by unilaterally severing the vomeronasal nerves. If edge detection is used by snakes during prey trailing, then unilateral denervation should disrupt trailing ability. The authors found no change in the seven separate trailing parameters measured. Therefore, they found no support for the edge detection hypothesis as it applies to prey trailing behavior. Instead, the deeply forked tongue may represent a chemosensory specialization to increase odor-sampling area, with snakes and derived lizards detecting only the concentration of chemical trails.

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“…To test the role of the anterior processes in a behavior known to depend on a functional VN system (prey attack), we used the bioassay that is typically used in biochemistry experiments in our laboratory (Jiang, Inouchi, Wang, & Halpern, 1990; Luo, Lu, Chen, Wang, & Halpern, 1994; D. Wang, Chen, Jiang, & Halpern, 1988).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sublingual plicae (anterior processes) are not necessary for garter snake vomeronasal function.

Halpern

Borghjid²

1997

Journal of Comparative Psychology

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The anterior processes of snakes may transfer odorants from the tongue to the vomeronasal (VN) organ. To test whether the anterior processes are required for a vomeronasally mediated behavior, the authors tested garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis) preoperatively and after cauterization of the anterior processes or control cauterization with artificial earthworms covered with earthworm wash (EWW) or distilled water. Snakes in both groups attacked EWW-covered artificial worms but not controls both pre- and postoperatively. In addition, snakes with anterior processes cauterization or control cauterization tongue flicked 3H-proline. Radioautographs of the VN organs of snakes with and without anterior processes were indistinguishable: Snakes in both groups had reduced silver grains over the VN sensory epithelium as had been reported previously with intact snakes. These findings indicate that the anterior processes are unnecessary both for a behavior known to require a functional VN system and for delivery of odorants to the VN organ.

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Purification and characterization of a chemoattractant from electric shock-induced earthworm secretion, its receptor binding, and signal transduction through the vomeronasal system of garter snakes.

Cited by 58 publications

References 46 publications

Pheromone Evolution, Reproductive Genes, and Comparative Transcriptomics in Mediterranean Earthworms (Annelida, Oligochaeta, Hormogastridae)

Pheromone Evolution, Reproductive Genes, and Comparative Transcriptomics in Mediterranean Earthworms (Annelida, Oligochaeta, Hormogastridae)

The forked tongue and edge detection in snakes (Crotalus oreganus): An experimental test.

Sublingual plicae (anterior processes) are not necessary for garter snake vomeronasal function.

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