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Asian Journal of Agricultural Research

Year: 2015 | Volume: 9 | Issue: 6 | Page No.: 357-361
DOI: 10.3923/ajar.2015.357.361
Putative Roles of Bovine Colostral Odorant-binding Protein (bcOBP) for Pheromone Transport and Sexual Behavior
Shota Katayama

Abstract: A novel protein, bovine colostral Odorant-Binding Protein (bcOBP) was found in bovine colostrums. This protein belongs to the lipocalin superfamily, most of them are secretary proteins. Amino acid sequences of bcOBP have CxxxC motif, which is well conserved among mammalian pheromone binding proteins. Its biological function is unclear, but pheromone transport is considered. Vomeronasal organ, whose important role is supposed to be in pheromone detection was suspected to express bcOBP mRNAs. The expression was found in vomeronasal organ, nasal mucosa and olfactory epithelium. Surprisingly, the expression was also found in lacrimal grand. The presence of bcOBP mRNAs in the area around the olfactory sense and in lacrimal gland might imply a functional role on pheromone transport and on sexual behavior between male and female like Exocrine gland-secreting peptide 1 (ESP1), respectively.

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How to cite this article
Shota Katayama , 2015. Putative Roles of Bovine Colostral Odorant-binding Protein (bcOBP) for Pheromone Transport and Sexual Behavior. Asian Journal of Agricultural Research, 9: 357-361.

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