Abstract.
Two distinct classes of lipocalin isoforms (OBP-IIs and OBP-IIIs) were purified and identified from porcine nasal mucosa of male and female individuals. Using primers designed on their N-terminal sequence, the complete primary structures of the mature polypeptides were determined. Mass spectrometry analysis confirmed the identity of the cDNA-derived sequences and provided information regarding their post-translational modifications. These species strongly resemble a lipocalin expressed by von Ebner's gland and salivary lipocalins carrying sex-specific pheromones secreted only by the boar's submaxillary glands. Both OBP-IIs and OBP-IIIs present two cysteines paired in a disulphide bond; the remaining residues occur in a reduced form. In addition, OBP-IIIs are heavily glycosylated and markedly different in their glycan moiety from the salivary lipocalins. A three-dimensional model is proposed based on protein species with known structure. Like salivary lipocalins, OBP-IIIs bind a number of odorant molecules, with highest affinity for the specific pheromone 5α-androst-16-en-3-one. The high similarity between OBPs from the nasal area and lipocalins from secretory glands suggests a common function in binding the same pheromonal ligands, the latter carrying chemical messages into the environment the former delivering them to specific receptors.
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Received 26 January 2001; received after revision 16 March 2001; accepted 19 March 2001
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Scaloni, A., Paolini, S., Brandazza, A. et al. Purification, cloning and characterisation of odorant- and pheromone-binding proteins from pig nasal epithelium. CMLS, Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 58, 823–834 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/PL00000903
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/PL00000903