scholarly journals Major urinary protein levels are associated with social status and context in mouse social hierarchies

2017 ◽  
Vol 284 (1863) ◽  
pp. 20171570 ◽  
Author(s):  
Won Lee ◽  
Amber Khan ◽  
James P. Curley
Keyword(s):  
Social Status ◽  
Social Rank ◽  
Male Mice ◽  
Urinary Proteins ◽  
Major Urinary Protein ◽  
Social Hierarchies ◽  
Protein Levels ◽  
Major Urinary Proteins ◽  
Stable Linear ◽  
Lower Urinary

We have previously shown that male mice living in groups of 12 males establish and maintain stable linear social hierarchies with each individual having a defined social rank. However, it is not clear which social cues mice use to signal and recognize their relative social status within their hierarchy. In this study, we investigate how individual social status both in pairs and in groups affects the levels of major urinary proteins (MUPs) and specifically MUP20 in urine. We housed groups of adult outbred CD1 male mice in a complex social environment for three weeks and collected urine samples from all individuals repeatedly. We found that dominant males produce more MUPs than subordinates when housed in pairs and that the production of MUPs and MUP20 is significantly higher in alpha males compared with all other individuals in a social hierarchy. Furthermore, we found that hepatic mRNA expression of Mup3 and Mup20 is significantly higher in alpha males than in subordinate males. We also show that alpha males have lower urinary creatinine levels consistent with these males urinating more than others living in hierarchies. These differences emerged within one week of animals being housed together in social hierarchies. This study demonstrates that as males transition to become alpha males, they undergo physiological changes that contribute to communication of their social status that may have implications for the energetic demands of maintaining dominance.

scholarly journals Foraging dynamics are associated with social status and context in mouse social hierarchies

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e5617 ◽  
Author(s):  
Won Lee ◽  
Eilene Yang ◽  
James P. Curley
Keyword(s):  
Social Status ◽  
Foraging Behavior ◽  
Video Recording ◽  
Urinary Proteins ◽  
Social Hierarchies ◽  
Major Urinary Proteins ◽  
Hierarchy Formation ◽  
Individual Mouse ◽  
Food And Water Intake ◽  
Drinking Behaviors

Living in social hierarchies requires individuals to adapt their behavior and physiology. We have previously shown that male mice living in groups of 12 form linear and stable hierarchies with alpha males producing the highest daily level of major urinary proteins and urine. These findings suggest that maintaining alpha status in a social group requires higher food and water intake to generate energetic resources and produce more urine. To investigate whether social status affects eating and drinking behaviors, we measured the frequency of these behaviors in each individual mouse living in a social hierarchy with non-stop video recording for 24 h following the initiation of group housing and after social ranks were stabilized. We show alpha males eat and drink most frequently among all individuals in the hierarchy and had reduced quiescence of foraging both at the start of social housing and after hierarchies were established. Subdominants displayed a similar pattern of behavior following hierarchy formation relative to subordinates. The association strength of foraging behavior was negatively associated with that of agonistic behavior corrected for gregariousness (HWIG), suggesting animals modify foraging behavior to avoid others they engaged with aggressively. Overall, this study provides evidence that animals with different social status adapt their eating and drinking behaviors according to their physiological needs and current social environment.

scholarly journals Foraging dynamics are associated with social status and context in mouse social hierarchies

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Won Lee ◽  
Eilene Yang ◽  
James P Curley
Keyword(s):  
Social Status ◽  
Foraging Behavior ◽  
Video Recording ◽  
Urinary Proteins ◽  
Social Hierarchies ◽  
Major Urinary Proteins ◽  
Hierarchy Formation ◽  
Individual Mouse ◽  
Food And Water Intake ◽  
Drinking Behaviors

Living in social hierarchies requires individuals to adapt their behavior and physiology. We have previously shown that male mice living in groups of 12 form linear and stable hierarchies with alpha males producing the highest daily level of major urinary proteins and urine. These findings suggest that maintaining alpha status in a social group requires higher food and water intake to generate energetic resources and produce more urine. To investigate whether social status affects eating and drinking behaviors, we measured the frequency of these behaviors in each individual mouse living in a social hierarchy with non-stop video recording for 24 hours following the initiation of group housing and after social ranks were stabilized. We show alpha males eat and drink most frequently among all individuals in the hierarchy and had reduced quiescence of foraging both at the start of social housing and after hierarchies were established. Subdominants displayed a similar pattern of behavior following hierarchy formation relative to subordinates. The association strength of foraging behavior was negatively associated with that of agonistic behavior corrected for gregariousness (HWIG), suggesting animals modify foraging behavior to avoid others they engaged with aggressively. Overall, this study provides evidence that animals with different social status adapt their eating and drinking behaviors according to their physiological needs and current social environment.

scholarly journals Foraging dynamics are associated with social status and context in mouse social hierarchies

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Won Lee ◽  
Eilene Yang ◽  
James P Curley
Keyword(s):  
Social Status ◽  
Foraging Behavior ◽  
Video Recording ◽  
Urinary Proteins ◽  
Social Hierarchies ◽  
Major Urinary Proteins ◽  
Hierarchy Formation ◽  
Individual Mouse ◽  
Food And Water Intake ◽  
Drinking Behaviors

Living in social hierarchies requires individuals to adapt their behavior and physiology. We have previously shown that male mice living in groups of 12 form linear and stable hierarchies with alpha males producing the highest daily level of major urinary proteins and urine. These findings suggest that maintaining alpha status in a social group requires higher food and water intake to generate energetic resources and produce more urine. To investigate whether social status affects eating and drinking behaviors, we measured the frequency of these behaviors in each individual mouse living in a social hierarchy with non-stop video recording for 24 hours following the initiation of group housing and after social ranks were stabilized. We show alpha males eat and drink most frequently among all individuals in the hierarchy and had reduced quiescence of foraging both at the start of social housing and after hierarchies were established. Subdominants displayed a similar pattern of behavior following hierarchy formation relative to subordinates. The association strength of foraging behavior was negatively associated with that of agonistic behavior corrected for gregariousness (HWIG), suggesting animals modify foraging behavior to avoid others they engaged with aggressively. Overall, this study provides evidence that animals with different social status adapt their eating and drinking behaviors according to their physiological needs and current social environment.

scholarly journals Structural genes of the mouse major urinary protein are on chromosome 4.

1982 ◽  
Vol 94 (2) ◽  
pp. 414-417 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Krauter ◽  
L Leinwand ◽  
P D'Eustachio ◽  
F Ruddle ◽  
J E Darnell
Keyword(s):  
Protein Synthesis ◽  
Sequence Analysis ◽  
Chromosome 4 ◽  
Structural Genes ◽  
Urinary Proteins ◽  
Coding Region ◽  
Somatic Cell Genetics ◽  
Major Urinary Protein ◽  
Major Urinary Proteins ◽  
Trans Regulation

The major urinary proteins (MUPs) of mouse are a family of at least three major proteins which are synthesized in the liver of all strains of mice. The relative levels of synthesis of these proteins with respect to each other in the presence of testosterone is regulated by the Mup-a locus located on chromosome 4. In an effort to determine the mechanism of this regulation in molecular terms, a cDNA clone containing most of the coding region of a MUP protein has been isolated and identified by partial DNA sequence analysis. Using a combination of hybridization analysis and somatic cell genetics, the structural gene family has been unambiguously mapped to mouse chromosome 4. These data suggest that Mup-a regulation operates in a cis fashion and that models proposing trans regulation of MUP protein synthesis are unlikely.

scholarly journals Differential expression in male and female mouse liver of very similar mRNAs specified by two group 1 major urinary protein genes.

1989 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 2202-2207 ◽  
Author(s):  
I McIntosh ◽  
J O Bishop
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Liver ◽  
Hormonal Status ◽  
Oligonucleotide Probes ◽  
Urinary Proteins ◽  
Pairwise Similarity ◽  
Major Urinary Protein ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Major Urinary Proteins ◽  
Different Levels ◽  
Group 1

The major urinary proteins of the mouse are encoded by a large multigene family composed of several distinct groups of genes distinguished by differences in sequence and expression characteristics. The genes in the largest group (group 1) show greater than 99% pairwise similarity in their exons. By hybridization between RNA and a specifically designed oligonucleotide, we confirmed that genes of this group are expressed mainly in the liver. By using additional gene-specific oligonucleotide probes, we have been able to distinguish between the species of mRNA corresponding to two of these genes and to measure their abundance in male and female liver. Both mRNAs are present in male liver at high but different levels. Both are also present in female liver, one at a much lower level than in the male and the second at a very low level indeed. Both are present at male levels in the livers of females induced with testosterone. These results show unequivocally that the expression of different group 1 Mup genes is differentially influenced by the hormonal status of the mouse.

Differential expression in male and female mouse liver of very similar mRNAs specified by two group 1 major urinary protein genes

1989 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 2202-2207
Author(s):  
I McIntosh ◽  
J O Bishop
Keyword(s):  
Mouse Liver ◽  
Hormonal Status ◽  
Oligonucleotide Probes ◽  
Urinary Proteins ◽  
Pairwise Similarity ◽  
Major Urinary Protein ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Major Urinary Proteins ◽  
Different Levels ◽  
Group 1

The major urinary proteins of the mouse are encoded by a large multigene family composed of several distinct groups of genes distinguished by differences in sequence and expression characteristics. The genes in the largest group (group 1) show greater than 99% pairwise similarity in their exons. By hybridization between RNA and a specifically designed oligonucleotide, we confirmed that genes of this group are expressed mainly in the liver. By using additional gene-specific oligonucleotide probes, we have been able to distinguish between the species of mRNA corresponding to two of these genes and to measure their abundance in male and female liver. Both mRNAs are present in male liver at high but different levels. Both are also present in female liver, one at a much lower level than in the male and the second at a very low level indeed. Both are present at male levels in the livers of females induced with testosterone. These results show unequivocally that the expression of different group 1 Mup genes is differentially influenced by the hormonal status of the mouse.

scholarly journals REGULATION OF MOUSE MAJOR URINARY PROTEIN PRODUCTION BY THE MUP-A GENE

Genetics ◽  
1978 ◽  
Vol 90 (3) ◽  
pp. 597-612
Author(s):  
P R Szoka ◽  
K Paigen
Keyword(s):  
Protein Production ◽  
Inbred Strains ◽  
Electrophoretic Separation ◽  
Urinary Proteins ◽  
Major Urinary Protein ◽  
Testosterone Treatment ◽  
Major Urinary Proteins ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Daily Excretion ◽  
Induced Proteins

ABSTRACT A method was developed to quantitate the daily excretion of the three major urinary proteins (mups) to test which parameters of the mup phenotype are controlled by the the Mup-a gene. Electrophoretic separation of the mup proteins, followed by staining and spectrophotometric scanning was used to characterize the phenotypes of various inbred strains. The mup phenotype of a strain proved to have two components: the absolute levels and the relative proportions of the mups present in the urine. Testosterone treatment alters both components of the mup phenotype, increasing mup excretion and altering their relative proportions. The induced proteins are the same as the basal proteins as judged by electrophoretic mobility, molecular weight, and reactivity with antibody. All strains excrete all three mups when induced. The Mup-a gene appears to be a single, codominantly expressed regulatory locus that controls the induced proportions of the three proteins. However, other genes in addition to Mup-a participate in controlling the basal mup proportions, as well as individual and total mup levels before and after testosterone treatment.

scholarly journals Linkage between sperm abnormality level and major urinary protein phenotype in mice

1991 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 135-138 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jozefa Styrna
Keyword(s):  
Inbred Strains ◽  
Chromosome 4 ◽  
Urinary Proteins ◽  
Major Urinary Protein ◽  
Major Urinary Proteins ◽  
Abnormal Sperm ◽  
Inbred Strains Of Mice ◽  
Sperm Abnormality ◽  
High Level ◽  
Very High

SummarySegregation of sperm abnormality level and the pattern of major urinary proteins (MUPs) were investigated in F2 and B1 hybrid males obtained from crosses involving two contrasting inbred strains of mice: CBA/Kw (Mup-1a1a, 3·3% abnormal sperm) and C57BL/Kw (Mup-1b1b, 21·9% abnormal sperm). In the progeny of both crosses mean levels of abnormal spermatozoa were significantly higher for males typed as Mup-1b1b than for heterozygous Mup-1a1b males. Moreover, all F2 hybrid males showing very high percentages of abnormal sperm were Mup-1b1bhomozygotes. Similarly, among B1 males with a high level of deformed spermatozoa, a statistically significant majority were Mup-1b1b genotypes. Our results suggest that at least two genes which influence sperm abnormality level are segregating in these crosses. Both appear to be recessive for high sperm abnormality level, and one shows weak linkage to Mup-1 on chromosome 4.

scholarly journals Pheromones that Correlate with Reproductive Success in Competitive Conditions

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth C. Luzynski ◽  
Doris Nicolakis ◽  
Maria Adelaide Marconi ◽  
Sarah M. Zala ◽  
Jae Kwak ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Social Status ◽  
Protein Concentration ◽  
Urinary Protein ◽  
House Mice ◽  
Male Reproductive Success ◽  
Urinary Proteins ◽  
Scent Marks ◽  
Major Urinary Proteins ◽  
Volatile Organic

Abstract The major urinary proteins (MUPs) of house mice (Mus musculus) bind and stabilize the release of pheromones and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from urinary scent marks, which mediate chemical communication. Social status influences MUP and VOC excretion, and the urinary scent of dominant males is attractive to females. Urinary pheromones influence the sexual behavior and physiology of conspecifics, and yet it is not known whether they also affect reproductive success. We monitored the excretion of urinary protein and VOCs of wild-derived house mice living in large seminatural enclosures to compare the sexes and to test how these compounds correlate with reproductive success. Among males, urinary protein concentration and VOC expression correlated with reproductive success and social status. Territorial dominance also correlated with reproductive success in both sexes; but among females, no urinary compounds were found to correlate with social status or reproductive success. Notably, the large sex differences in chemosensory compounds found in laboratory studies were significantly lower when the mice lived in seminatural conditions. These findings provide novel evidence for chemical signals that correlate with male reproductive success of house mice living in competitive conditions.

The major urinary protein system in the rat

2014 ◽  
Vol 42 (4) ◽  
pp. 886-892 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guadalupe Gómez-Baena ◽  
Stuart D. Armstrong ◽  
Marie M. Phelan ◽  
Jane L. Hurst ◽  
Robert J. Beynon
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Communication ◽  
Rattus Norvegicus ◽  
Current Knowledge ◽  
Urinary Protein ◽  
Present Review ◽  
Urinary Proteins ◽  
Major Urinary Protein ◽  
Major Urinary Proteins ◽  
Brown Rat ◽  
Rats And Mice

The genomes of rats and mice both contain a cluster of multiple genes that encode small (18–20 kDa) eight-stranded β-barrel lipocalins that are expressed in multiple secretory tissues, some of which enter urine via hepatic biosynthesis. These proteins have been given different names, but are mostly generically referred to as MUPs (major urinary proteins). The mouse MUP cluster is increasingly well understood, and, in particular, a number of roles for MUPs in chemical communication between conspecifics have been established. By contrast, the literature on the rat orthologues is much less well developed and is fragmented. In the present review, we summarize current knowledge on the MUPs from the Norway (or brown) rat, Rattus norvegicus.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document