Biochemical switches have also been found in nutrient utilization in bacteria [ 9], mating response in yeast [ 10], and synaptic memory processing [ 11].
In addition, the ability of sperm-depleted hermaphrodites (effectively females) to elicit preferential male mating response in a mixed population may give them selective reproductive advantage over younger, sperm-containing hermaphrodites.
Previously, the TULIP dimerization system was used to induce translocation of the MAP kinase scaffold Ste5 to the plasma membrane, resulting in tight light control of the mating response in haploid yeast.
The majority of these genes are involved in mating responses [e.g., FIG1, FIG2, SAG1, AGA1, MF ALPHA)1, and MF ALPHA)2, see Additional file 3: op. cit.], which is also in agreement with the over-representation of the gene ontology term "reproduction" in the Biological Process category (z-score of 3.01, Table 3).
For example, we found a 56.58% difference in female responses to native males, whereas Langerhans et al.[6] report a 251% difference in mating response when a female was given a choice between a male from her own and another predation regime.
The yeast MAP kinase pathway involved in mating response is a stereotypical G-protein coupled receptor signaling pathway that is initiated by ligand (α-factor) binding to a seven-transmembrane receptor coupled to a G-protein, Gpa1.
In yeast, the mating response polarizes the two types of filamentous actin (F-actin) structures: patches and cables.
For example, in the yeast mating response the combined actions of the proteins Bem1p, Cdc42p, and Cdc24p create a positive feedback loop [21].
Moreover, Reg1 was also found to dephosphorylate Gpa1 to maintain a strong mating response in the presence of glucose (Clement et al., 2013).
In this study, candidate loci from Microbotryum species were used to characterize putative pheromones that were synthesized and found to be functional across multiple species in triggering a mating response in vitro.
