| Beyond cuticular hydrocarbons: evidence of proteinaceous secretion specific to termite kings and queens. | |
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MedLine Citation:
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PMID: 19939837 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
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In 1959, P. Karlson and M. Lüscher introduced the term 'pheromone', broadly used nowadays for various chemicals involved in intraspecific communication. To demonstrate the term, they depicted the situation in termite societies, where king and queen inhibit the reproduction of nest-mates by an unknown chemical substance. Paradoxically, half a century later, neither the source nor the chemical identity of this 'royal' pheromone is known. In this study, we report for the first time the secretion of polar compounds of proteinaceous origin by functional reproductives in three termite species, Prorhinotermes simplex, Reticulitermes santonensis and Kalotermes flavicollis. Aqueous washes of functional reproductives contained sex-specific proteinaceous compounds, virtually absent in non-reproducing stages. Moreover, the presence of these compounds was clearly correlated with the age of reproductives and their reproductive status. We discuss the putative function of these substances in termite caste recognition and regulation. |
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Authors:
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Robert Hanus; Vladimír Vrkoslav; Ivan Hrdý; Josef Cvacka; Jan Sobotník |
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Publication Detail:
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Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Date: 2009-11-25 |
Journal Detail:
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Title: Proceedings. Biological sciences / The Royal Society Volume: 277 ISSN: 1471-2954 ISO Abbreviation: Proc. Biol. Sci. Publication Date: 2010 Apr |
Date Detail:
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Created Date: 2010-02-25 Completed Date: 2010-06-18 Revised Date: 2011-07-28 |
Medline Journal Info:
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Nlm Unique ID: 101245157 Medline TA: Proc Biol Sci Country: England |
Other Details:
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Languages: eng Pagination: 995-1002 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
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Infochemicals Research Team, Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry, Flemingovo no. 2, Prague, Czech Republic. |
Export Citation:
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APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
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Animals Female Hierarchy, Social* Hydrocarbons / analysis, metabolism* Insect Proteins / chemistry, metabolism* Isoptera / classification, physiology* Male Reproduction Spectrometry, Mass, Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption-Ionization |
| Chemical | |
Reg. No./Substance:
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0/Hydrocarbons; 0/Insect Proteins; 0/cuticle proteins, insects |
| Comments/Corrections | |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
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