Study of Major Urinary Proteins in Mice
Author Information
Author(s): Jonathan Mudge, Stuart D. Armstrong, Karen McLaren, Robert J. Beynon, Jane L. Hurst, Christine Nicholson, Duncan H. Robertson, Laurens G. Wilming, Jennifer L. Harrow
Primary Institution: Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute
Hypothesis
How do the major urinary protein gene clusters differ between C57BL/6J and 129 strain mice?
Conclusion
The study suggests that the phenotypic polymorphism of MUPs in wild populations is due to gene turnover and unidentified regulatory mechanisms.
Supporting Evidence
- MUPs are important for communication in mice, influencing behaviors like mate choice and territory defense.
- The study identified genomic rearrangements in MUP clusters likely mediated by retroviral elements.
- Distinct MUP profiles were characterized in the urine of both mouse strains using mass spectrometry.
Takeaway
Mice use special proteins in their urine to communicate with each other, and these proteins can change over time.
Methodology
Targeted sequencing, manual genome annotation, phylogenetic analysis, and mass spectrometry were used to analyze MUPs in two mouse strains.
Limitations
The study primarily focuses on inbred laboratory mice, which may not fully represent wild populations.
Participant Demographics
The study involved two strains of inbred mice: C57BL/6J and 129.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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