In most mammals, conspecific chemosensory communication relies on semiochemical release within complex bodily secretions and subsequent stimulus detection by the vomeronasal organ (VNO). Urine, a rich source of ethologically relevant chemosignals, conveys detailed information about sex, social hierarchy, health, and reproductive state, which becomes accessible to a conspecific via vomeronasal sampling. So far, however, numerous aspects of social chemosignaling along the vomeronasal pathway remain unclear. Moreover, since virtually all research on vomeronasal physiology is based on secretions derived from inbred laboratory mice, it remains uncertain whether such stimuli provide a true representation of potentially more relevant cues found in the wild. Here, we combine a robust low-noise VNO activity assay with comparative molecular profiling of sex- and strain-specific mouse urine samples from two inbred laboratory strains as well as from wild mice. With comprehensive molecular portraits of these secretions, VNO activity analysis now enables us to (i) assess whether and, if so, how much sex/strain-selective 'raw' chemical information in urine is accessible via vomeronasal sampling; (ii) identify which chemicals exhibit sufficient discriminatory power to signal an animal's sex, strain, or both; (iii) determine the extent to which wild mouse secretions are unique; and (iv) analyze whether vomeronasal response profiles differ between strains. We report both sex- and, in particular, strain-selective VNO representations of chemical information. Within the urinary 'secretome', both volatile compounds and proteins exhibit sufficient discriminative power to provide sex- and strain-specific molecular fingerprints. While total protein amount is substantially enriched in male urine, females secrete a larger variety at overall comparatively low concentrations. Surprisingly, the molecular spectrum of wild mouse urine does not dramatically exceed that of inbred strains. Finally, vomeronasal response profiles differ between C57BL/6 and BALB/c animals, with particularly disparate representations of female semiochemicals.

• Klíčová slova
• biochemistry, chemical biology, chemosensory system, chemosignaling, mouse, neuroscience, olfaction, vomeronasal organ, vomeronasal sensory neurons,
• MeSH
• feromony moč   metabolismus   MeSH
• inbrední kmeny myší MeSH
• myši inbrední C57BL MeSH
• myši MeSH
• odoranty analýza   MeSH
• vomeronazální orgán * fyziologie   MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• myši MeSH
• ženské pohlaví MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH

Adult neurogenesis is the life-long process of neural stem cell proliferation, differentiation into neurons, migration, and incorporation into the existing neuronal circuits. After decades of research, it is now widely accepted that mammals and birds retain the capacity to regenerate neurons even after their subadult ontogeny. Cerebrospinal fluid participates in the regulation of the neurogenic niches of the vertebrate brain through signaling pathways not fully elucidated. Proteomic studies of cerebrospinal fluid have the potential to allow the in-depth characterization of its molecular composition. Comparative studies help to delineate those pathways that are universally critical for the regulation of neurogenesis in adulthood. In this review, we performed literature-based data mining in studies using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy that analyzed cerebrospinal fluid samples from healthy adult humans (Homo sapiens); mice (Mus musculus); sheep (Ovis aries); chickens (Gallus gallus); and two parrot species, the budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus) and cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus). We identified up to 911 proteins represented in cerebrospinal fluid, involved in various pathways regulating adult neurogenesis. However, only 196 proteins were common across humans, mice, and birds. Pathway components involved in nervous system development, cell migration, and axonal guidance were commonly evident in all species investigated so far. Extensive bioinformatic analysis revealed that the universally over-represented pathways involved L1 cell adhesion molecule protein interactions, cell-adhesion molecules, signals regulating extracellular matrix remodeling, regulation of insulin growth factor signaling, axonal guidance, programmed cell death, immune signaling, and post-translational modifications. Most of the reported proteins are part of extracellular vesicles enriched in cerebrospinal fluid. However, the information presently available is still highly fragmentary, and far more questions persist than are answered. Technological advances will allow cerebrospinal fluid comparative proteomic research to delve into the fundamental processes of adult neurogenesis and eventually translate this research into any regenerative interventions.

• Klíčová slova
• adult neurogenesis, birds, cerebrospinal fluid, chicken, comparative proteomics, human, mammals, mass spectrometry, parrots,
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• přehledy MeSH