Powered by OpenAIRE graph
Found an issue? Give us feedback
image/svg+xml art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos Open Access logo, converted into svg, designed by PLoS. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Open_Access_logo_PLoS_white.svg art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos http://www.plos.org/ ZENODOarrow_drop_down
image/svg+xml art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos Open Access logo, converted into svg, designed by PLoS. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Open_Access_logo_PLoS_white.svg art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos http://www.plos.org/
ZENODO
Dataset . 2022
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
image/svg+xml art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos Open Access logo, converted into svg, designed by PLoS. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Open_Access_logo_PLoS_white.svg art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos http://www.plos.org/
ZENODO
Dataset . 2022
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
image/svg+xml art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos Open Access logo, converted into svg, designed by PLoS. This version with transparent background. http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Open_Access_logo_PLoS_white.svg art designer at PLoS, modified by Wikipedia users Nina, Beao, JakobVoss, and AnonMoos http://www.plos.org/
ZENODO
Dataset . 2022
License: CC BY
Data sources: ZENODO
versions View all 2 versions
addClaim

Protein-lipid association in lizard chemical signals

Authors: MANGIACOTTI, MARCO; BAECKENS, SIMON; FUMAGALLI, MARCO; MARTÍN, JOSÉ; SCALI, STEFANO; Roberto Sacchi;

Protein-lipid association in lizard chemical signals

Abstract

Most animal chemical signals comprise a complex mixture of compounds, each with its own chemical properties, which are combined to maximize signal efficacy in a given environment. Such blends forms integrated functional units hypothesized to be shaped by selective forces acting on the functional mixture as a whole, rather than on a single component. Chemical communication plays a pivotal role in lizards, and many species have developed specialized epidermal glands whose secretions are waxy, homogeneous blends of lipids and proteins used for intra- and inter-specific signalling. Lipids are historically considered the main semiochemical source, while proteins provide mere structural support to the lipophilic fraction. Recent discoveries, however, point towards a key signalling role for proteins, as well. The potential signalling functions of both proteins and lipids let use to hypothesise that they should undergo to a certain degree of integration. We tested this hypothesis by comparing the composition and complexity of the lipophilic and proteinaceous fractions of the epidermal gland secretions of 36 lizard species (Lacertidae), and combining quantitative, phylogenetically-informed analysis with tandem mass spectrometry to identify the proteins responsible for such a potential association. We found the composition and complexity of proteins and lipids to be strongly correlated. Protein composition was mostly influenced by the relative proportion of cholestanol, provitamin D3, stigmasterol, and tocopherol, while the complexity of the protein pattern increased with that of lipids. Additionally, two identified proteins (carbonic anhydrase and protein disulfide isomerase) increased their concentration as provitamin D3 became more abundant. Our results validate the hypothesis of an integration between the lipid and protein fractions of lizard secretions. The prevalence of proteins with enzymatic properties suggests the integration to be more complex than previously thought: proteins may serve to modulate the efficacy, stability, and durability of the signal, by dynamically controlling the chemical environment of the blend. Likewise, we cannot exclude that proteins contribute to the semiochemical function of the mixture, maybe forming with lipids an individual-specific chemical profile. Here we present the original data not available from other, already published researches (i.e., protein electrophoretic profiles and lipid composition). Notably: LM8.xls = excel sheet reporting the percentage concentrations of the eight lipids specifically used to characterize the lipophilic fraction MSdata.zip = mass spectrometry raw files (in .mzXML format) obtained from the analysis of the three molecular weight region related to the increase in provitamin D3 abundance.

Keywords

Lacertidae; Chemical communication; Signal design; Protein disulfide isomerase; Carbonic anhydrase

  • BIP!
    Impact byBIP!
    selected citations
    These citations are derived from selected sources.
    This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
    0
    popularity
    This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
    Average
    influence
    This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
    Average
    impulse
    This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
    Average
    OpenAIRE UsageCounts
    Usage byUsageCounts
    visibility views 3
    download downloads 1
  • 3
    views
    1
    downloads
    Powered byOpenAIRE UsageCounts
Powered by OpenAIRE graph
Found an issue? Give us feedback
visibility
download
selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
views
OpenAIRE UsageCountsViews provided by UsageCounts
downloads
OpenAIRE UsageCountsDownloads provided by UsageCounts
0
Average
Average
Average
3
1