Title | Multisensory Logic of Infant-Directed Aggression by Males. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2018 |
Authors | Isogai, Yoh, Zheng Wu, Michael I. Love, Michael Ho- Young Ahn, Dhananjay Bambah-Mukku, Vivian Hua, Karolina Farrell, and Catherine Dulac |
Journal | Cell |
Volume | 175 |
Issue | 7 |
Pagination | 1827-1841.e17 |
Date Published | 2018 Dec 13 |
ISSN | 1097-4172 |
Keywords | Aggression, Animals, Animals, Newborn, Gene Deletion, Male, Mice, Mice, Mutant Strains, Vomeronasal Organ |
Abstract | Newborn mice emit signals that promote parenting from mothers and fathers but trigger aggressive responses from virgin males. Although pup-directed attacks by males require vomeronasal function, the specific infant cues that elicit this behavior are unknown. We developed a behavioral paradigm based on reconstituted pup cues and showed that discrete infant morphological features combined with salivary chemosignals elicit robust male aggression. Seven vomeronasal receptors were identified based on infant-mediated activity, and the involvement of two receptors, Vmn2r65 and Vmn2r88, in infant-directed aggression was demonstrated by genetic deletion. Using the activation of these receptors as readouts for biochemical fractionation, we isolated two pheromonal compounds, the submandibular gland protein C and hemoglobins. Unexpectedly, none of the identified vomeronasal receptors and associated cues were specific to pups. Thus, infant-mediated aggression by virgin males relies on the recognition of pup's physical traits in addition to parental and infant chemical cues. |
DOI | 10.1016/j.cell.2018.11.032 |
Alternate Journal | Cell |
Original Publication | Multisensory logic of infant-directed aggression by males. |
PubMed ID | 30550786 |
PubMed Central ID | PMC6558521 |
Grant List | R01 DC013087 / DC / NIDCD NIH HHS / United States R01 DC003903 / DC / NIDCD NIH HHS / United States R01 HD082131 / HD / NICHD NIH HHS / United States / / Wellcome Trust / United Kingdom P01 CA142538 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States / HHMI_ / Howard Hughes Medical Institute / United States T32 CA009337 / CA / NCI NIH HHS / United States K99 HD092542 / HD / NICHD NIH HHS / United States |
Multisensory Logic of Infant-Directed Aggression by Males.
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