Biosynthesis and release of pheromonal bile salts in mature male sea lamprey.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In vertebrates, bile salts are primarily synthesized in the liver and secreted into the intestine where they aid in absorption of dietary fats. Small amounts of bile salts that are not reabsorbed into enterohepatic circulation are excreted with waste. In sexually mature male sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus L.) a bile salt is released in large amounts across gill epithelia into water where it functions as a pheromone. We postulate that the release of this pheromone is associated with a dramatic increase in its biosynthesis and transport to the gills upon sexual maturation.

Results

We show an 8000-fold increase in transcription of cyp7a1, a three-fold increase in transcription of cyp27a1, and a six-fold increase in transcription of cyp8b1 in the liver of mature male

SUBMITTER: Brant CO 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3827326 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature