| Chemical and olfactory characterization of odorous compounds and their precursors in the parotoid gland secretion of the green tree frog, Litoria caerulea. | |
| | |
MedLine Citation:
|
PMID: 14584677 Owner: NLM Status: MEDLINE |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
|
When stressed or challenged by a predator, the Australian green tree frog, Litoria caerulea, emits a characteristic nutty odor from its parotoid glands. This study identifies the source of the odor as the cyclic amide 2-pyrrolidone (2-PyrO). In addition, we demonstrate the presence of 2-PyrO's straight chain form, gamma-aminobutyric acid or GABA, in the frog's glandular secretion and propose an odorant-precursor relationship. What role both compounds play in the frog's defensive strategy remains unknown. Prolonged exposure to the odor is shown to result in adverse effects that may be attributed to a GABAergic mechanism. It is our hypothesis, however, that the odor acts as an aposematic signal, indicating the toxicity of the frog's nonvolatile secretion. |
| | |
Authors:
|
Benjamin P C Smith; Michael J Tyler; Brian D Williams; Yoji Hayasaka |
Related Documents
:
|
6955797 - Sagittal cerebellar microbands of taurine neurons: immunocytochemical demonstration by ... 21678947 - Synthetic application and structural elucidation of axially chiral dicarboxylic acid: a... 6140307 - Use of gamma-aminobutyric acid (gaba)-transaminase inhibitors and a gaba uptake inhibit... 15719157 - Increased immune response in mice consuming rice bran oil. 3118727 - Mechanical performance of monofilament synthetic absorbable sutures. 12517987 - The snakehead channa asiatica accumulates alanine during aerial exposure, but is incapa... |
Publication Detail:
|
Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't |
Journal Detail:
|
Title: Journal of chemical ecology Volume: 29 ISSN: 0098-0331 ISO Abbreviation: J. Chem. Ecol. Publication Date: 2003 Sep |
Date Detail:
|
Created Date: 2003-10-30 Completed Date: 2004-02-10 Revised Date: 2006-11-15 |
Medline Journal Info:
|
Nlm Unique ID: 7505563 Medline TA: J Chem Ecol Country: United States |
Other Details:
|
Languages: eng Pagination: 2085-100 Citation Subset: IM |
Affiliation:
|
Department of Environmental Biology, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia 5005. benjamin.smith@uninc.ch |
Export Citation:
|
APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
|
Animal Communication Animals Anura / physiology* GABA Modulators / pharmacology Odors* Parotid Gland / secretion* Predatory Behavior Pyrrolidinones / chemistry*, isolation & purification* Volatilization |
| Chemical | |
Reg. No./Substance:
|
0/GABA Modulators; 0/Pyrrolidinones; 616-45-5/2-pyrrolidone |
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
Previous Document: Evaluation of root exudates of seven sorghum accessions.
Next Document: Semiochemicals from the predatory stink bug Eocanthecona furcellata (Wolff): components of metathora...