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Diversity of major urinary proteins (MUPs) in wild house mice
Michaela Thoß1, Viktoria Enk2, Hans Yu2
1Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, Department of Integrative Biology and Evolution, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Abstract:
Major urinary proteins (MUPs) are often suggested to be highly polymorphic, and thereby provide unique chemical signatures used for individual and genetic kin recognition; however, studies on MUP variability have been lacking. We surveyed populations of wild house mice (Mus musculus musculus), and examined variation of MUP genes and proteins. We sequenced several Mup genes (9 to 11 loci) and unexpectedly found no inter-individual variation. We also found that microsatellite markers inside the MUP cluster show remarkably low levels of allelic diversity, and significantly lower than the diversity of markers flanking the cluster or other markers in the genome. We found low individual variation in the number and types of MUP proteins using a shotgun proteomic approach, even among mice with variable MUP electrophoretic profiles. We identified gel bands and spots using high-resolution mass spectrometry and discovered that gel-based methods do not separate MUP proteins, and therefore do not provide measures of MUP diversity, as generally assumed. The low diversity and high homology of Mup genes are likely maintained by purifying selection and gene conversion, and our results indicate that the type of selection on MUPs and their adaptive functions need to be re-evaluated.
Insights
Major urinary proteins (MUPs) in house mice show surprisingly low genetic and protein diversity. These findings challenge the long-held belief that MUPs provide unique chemical signatures for individual recognition.
Area of Science:
- Genomics
- Proteomics
- Animal Behavior
Background:
- Major urinary proteins (MUPs) are hypothesized to be highly polymorphic, enabling unique chemical signatures for individual and kin recognition in mice.
- Previous studies lacked comprehensive investigation into MUP gene and protein variability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the genetic and protein variation of Major urinary proteins (MUPs) in wild house mouse populations (Mus musculus musculus).
- To re-evaluate the assumed role of MUPs in chemical communication and recognition based on empirical data.
Main Methods:
- Sequencing of multiple Mup genes (9-11 loci) to assess genetic variation.
- Analysis of microsatellite markers within and flanking the MUP gene cluster.
- Shotgun proteomic analysis to determine MUP protein diversity.
- High-resolution mass spectrometry for identification of MUPs.
Main Results:
- No inter-individual variation was detected in the sequenced Mup genes.
- Microsatellite markers within the MUP cluster exhibited exceptionally low allelic diversity.
- Shotgun proteomics revealed limited variation in MUP protein types and numbers.
- Electrophoretic methods for MUP diversity assessment were found to be unreliable due to co-migration of proteins.
Conclusions:
- The genetic and protein diversity of MUPs in house mice is significantly lower than previously assumed.
- Purifying selection and gene conversion likely maintain the low diversity and high homology of Mup genes.
- The adaptive functions of MUPs and their role in individual recognition require re-evaluation.
