Pheromones and contextual information.

Martín-Sanchez A, McLean L, Beynon RL, Hurst JL, Ayala G, Lanuza E, Martinez-Garcia F. (2014) . From sexual attraction to maternal aggression: When pheromones change their behavioural significance. Hormones and Behaviour (in press) [PUBMED][PDF] [Abstract...]

MUP complexity and analytical challenges

Beynon RJ, Armstrong SD, Gómez-Baena G, Lee V, Simpson D, Unsworth J, Hurst JL. (2014) The complexity of protein semiochemistry in mammals. Biochem Soc Trans. 2014 Aug 42:837-845 [PUBMED][PDF] [Abstract...]

Sex pheromones are not aways attractive

Lanuza, E., Martin-Sanchez, A., Marco-Manclus, P., Cadiz-Moretti, B., Fortes-Marcw, L., Henandez-Martinez, A., Mclean, L., Beynon, R.J., Hurst, J.L. & Martinz-Garcia, F (2014) Sex pheromones are not always attractive: changes induced by learning and illness in mice. Animal Behaviour (in press) [PUBMED][PDF]
[Abstract...]

Darcin three dimensional structure solved!

Phelan, M.M., McLean, L., Armstrong, S.D., Hurst, J.L., Beynon, R.J. & Lian, L-Y. (2014) The structure, stability and pheromone binding of the male mouse protein sex pheromone darcin. PLOS One (in press) [PUBMED][PDF] [Abstract...]

Structural comparison of central and peripheral mouse MUPs

Phelan MM, McLean L, Hurst JL, Beynon RJ, Lian LY. (2014) Comparative study of the molecular variation between 'central' and 'peripheral' MUPs and significance for behavioural signalling. [PUBMED][PDF]
[Abstract...]

Rats have MUPs too - but different!

Gómez-Baena G, Armstrong SD, Phelan MM, Hurst JL, Beynon RJ. (2014). The major urinary protein system in the rat. Biochem Soc. Trans. 42: 886-892 [PUBMED][PDF] [Abstract...]

Romeo, Romeo, 'whiff'-fore art thou, Romeo?

Sarah A. Roberts, Amanda J. Davidson, Lynn McLean, Robert J. Beynon, Jane L. Hurst (2012) Pheromonal Induction of Spatial Learning in Mice. Science 338, 1462-1465 [PUBMED] [PDF] [Abstract...]

Oxidative stress and MUPs

Garratt, M., McArdle, F., Stockely, P., Vasilaki, A., Beynon, R.J. Jackson, M.J. & Hurst, J.L. (2011) Tissue dependent changes in oxidative damage with male reproductive effort in house mice. Functional Ecology (in press) [Abstract...]

Scent of sensecence

Garratt, .M, Stockely, P., Armstrong, S.D., Beynon, R/J. & Hurst, J.L. (2011) The scent of senescence: sexual signalling and female preference in house mice. J. Evol. Biol [PDF] doi: 10.111111/j.1420-9101.2011.02367.x [Abstract...]

Darcin NMR structure lodged

Phelan MM, McLean L, Simpson DM, Hurst JL, Beynon RJ, Lian LY. (2010) (1)H, (15)N and (13)C resonance assignment of darcin, a mouse major urinary protein. Biomol NMR Assign. 2010 Aug 12[PUBMED] [Abstract...]

Even the smallest of hamsters have lipocalins in their urine.

Turton MJ, Robertson DH, Smith JR, Hurst JL, Beynon RJ. Roborovskin, a Lipocalin in the Urine of the Roborovski Hamster, Phodopus roborovskii. Chem Senses. 2010 Jun 24. [PUBMED][PDF] [Abstract...]

It is a truth, universally acknowledged, that a mouse in possession of darcin must be in want of a mate.

Nominated as 'Exceptional' by Etienne Joly in Faculty1000 Biology (http://f1000biology.com)
Roberts SA, Simpson, Armstrong, Davidson, Robertson, McLean, Beynon & Hurst JL (2010) Darcin: a male pheromone that stimulates female memory and sexual attraction to an individual male's odour. BMC Biology 8:75. [PUBMED][PDF] [Abstract...]

MUP variation in lab mouse strains

Cheetham SA, Smith AL, Armstrong SD, Beynon RJ, Hurst JL. (2009) Limited variation in the major urinary proteins of laboratory mice. Physiol Behav. 96, 253-261 [PUBMED][PDF] [Abstract...]

FTICR resolution of similar mass proteins

Robertson DH, Wong SC, Beynon RJ, Hurst JL, Gaskell SJ. (2008) Observation of heterogeneous gene products by FT-ICR MS. J. Am. Soc. Mass Spectrom. 19, 103-110. [PUBMED][PDF] [Abstract...]

Urinary lipocalins

Beynon, RJ, Hurst, JL, Turton, MJ , Robertson, DHL , Armstrong, SD, Cheetham, SA, Simpson, D, MacNicoll, A, Humphries, RE  (2008) Urinary lipocalins in rodenta: is there a generic model? Chemical Signals in Vertebrates 11, 37-49 [PDF] [Abstract...]

First paper on a systematic analysis of MUP expression

Mudge JM, Armstrong SD, McLaren K, Beynon RJ, Hurst JL, Nicholson C, Robertson DH, Wilming LG, Harrow JL. (2008) Dynamic instability of the major urinary protein gene family revealed by genomic and phenotypic comparisons between C57 and 129 strain mice. [PUBMED][PDF] [Abstract...]

MUPs advertise heterozyygosity and fitness

Nominated in Faculty of 1000 by Gabrielle Sorci. Thom MD, Stockley P, Jury F, Ollier WE, Beynon RJ, Hurst JL. (2008) The direct assessment of genetic heterozygosity through scent in the mouse. Curr Biol. 18, 619-623.[PUBMED][PDF] [Abstract...]

MUPs in individual recognition

Nominated in Faculty of 1000 by Etienne Joly. Cheetham SA, Thom MD, Jury F, Ollier WE, Beynon RJ, Hurst JL. (2007) The genetic basis of individual-recognition signals in the mouse. Curr. Biol. 17, 1771-1777.[PUBMED][PDF] [Abstract...]

Significance of animal scents in behaviour

Lacey JC, Beynon RJ, Hurst JL (2007) The importance of exposure to other male scents in determining competitive behaviour among inbred male mice. App Animal Behav Sci 104, 130-142. [PUBMED][PDF] [Abstract...]

MUPs in an aboriginal mouse

 Robertson, D.H.L., Hurst, J.L., Searle, J.B., Gunduz, I. & Beynon, R.J. (2007) Characterization and Comparison of Major Urinary Proteins from the House Mouse, Mus musculus domesticus, and the Aboriginal Mouse, Mus macedonicus. J. Chem. Ecol. 33, 613-630.[PUBMED][PDF] [Abstract...]

Identification of an atypical male-specific MUP in mouse urine

Armstrong, S.D., Robertson, D.H.L., Cheetham, S.A., Hurst, J.L. & Beynon, R.J. (2005) Structural and functional differences in isoforms of Major Urinary Proteins: a male specific protein that preferentially binds a male pheromone. Biochem. J. 391, 343-350 [PUBMED] [PDF] [Abstract...]

Characterising proteins in scent marks

Robertson, D.H.L., Cheetham, S.A., Armstrong, S.D., Hurst, J.L. & Beynon, R.J. (2005) Characterisation of proteins in scent marks: proteomics meets semiochemistry. In Chemical Signals in Vertebrates 10 (Ed. R.T. Mason, M.P. LeMaster & D. Muller-Schwarze), pp.183-198 Springer, New York. [Abstract...]

MHC in scent communication

Thom, M.D., Beynon, R.J. & Hurst, J.L. (2005) The role of the major histocompatibility complex in scent communication. In: Chemical Signals in Vertebrates 10 (Ed. R.T. Mason, M.P. LeMaster & D. Muller-Schwarze), pp.173-182. Springer, New York. [Abstract...]

Scent marks signal competitive ability

Malone, N., Armstrong, S.D., Humphries, R.E., Beynon, R.J. & Hurst, J.L. (2005) The signalling of competitive ability by male house mice. In: Chemical Signals in Vertebrates 10 (Ed. R.T. Mason, M.P. LeMaster & D. Muller-Schwarze), pp.77-88. Springer, New York. [Abstract...]

Review of rodent urinary lipocalins

Beynon, R.J. & Hurst, J.L. (2004) Urinary proteins and the modulation of chemical scents in mice and rats. Peptides 25(9):1553-1563 [PUBMED] [PDF] [Abstract...]

MUPs play multiple roles in mouse communication

Beynon, R.J. & Hurst, J.L. (2003) Multiple roles of major urinary proteins in the house mouse, Mus musculus. Biochemical Journal Transactions, 31, 142-146 [PUBMED] [PDF] [Abstract...]

MUP polymorphism in an island population of mice

Beynon, R. J., Veggerby, C., Payne, C. E., Robertson, D. H., Gaskell, S. J., Humphries, R. E. & Hurst, J. L. (2002). Polymorphism in major urinary proteins: molecular heterogeneity in a wild mouse population. J Chem Ecol 28, 1429-46. [PUBMED] [PDF] [Abstract...]

Individual recognition through MUPs

Hurst, J. L., Payne, C. E., Nevison, C. M., Marie, A. D., Humphries, R. E., Robertson, D. H., Cavaggioni, A. & Beynon, R. J. (2001). Individual recognition in mice mediated by major urinary proteins. Nature 414, 631-634. [PUBMED] [PDF] [Abstract...]

MUP polymorphism & ligand binding

Marie,A.D., Veggerby, C, Robertson, D.H.L., Gaskell, S J., Hubbard, S.J., Martinsen, L., Hurst, J.L. & Beynon, R.J. (2001) The effect of protein polymorphisms on ligand binding by Major Urinary Proteins. Protein Science 10, 411-417 [PUBMED] [PDF] [Abstract...]

Myths about MUPs

Beynon, R.J., Hurst, J.L., Gaskell, S.J., Hubbard, S.J., Humphries, R.E., Malone, N., Marie, A.D., Martinsen, L., Nevison, C.M., Payne, C.E., Robertson, D.H.L. & Veggerby,C. (2001) Mice, MUPs and myths – structure-function relationships of the major urinary proteins. In: Chemical Signals in Vertebrates (Ed. A. Marchlewska-Koj, D. Muller-Schwarze & J. Lepri) pp149-156. New York: Plenum Press. [Abstract...]

MUP ligand binding

Robertson, D.H.L., Marie, A.D., Veggerby, C., Hurst, J.L. & Beynon, R.J. (2001) Characteristics of ligand binding and release by major urinary proteins. . In: Chemical Signals in Vertebrates (Ed. A. Marchlewska-Koj, D. Muller-Schwarze & J. Lepri) pp169-176. Plenum Press, New York. [Abstract...]

MUP heterogeneity

Payne, C.E., Malone, N., Humphries, R., Bradbrook, C., Veggerby, C., Beynon, R.J. & Hurst, J.L. (2001) Heterogeneity of major urinary proteins in house mice: population and sex differences. . In: Chemical Signals in Vertebrates (Ed. A. Marchlewska-Koj, D. Muller-Schwarze & J. Lepri) pp233-240. Plenum Press, New York. [Abstract...]

MUPs and competitive scent marking

Humphries, R.E., Robertson, D.H.L., Nevison, C.M, Beynon, R.J. & Hurst, J.L. (2001) The role of urinary proteins and volatiles in competitive scent marking among male house mice. . In: Chemical Signals in Vertebrates (Ed. A. Marchlewska-Koj, D. Muller-Schwarze & J. Lepri) pp353-360. Plenum Press, New York. [Abstract...]

Scent signals of status

Hurst, J.L., Beynon, R.J., Humphries, R.E., Malone, N., Nevison, C.M., Payne, C.E., Robertson, D.H.L. & Veggerby, C. (2001) Information in scent signals of status: the interface between behaviour and chemistry. . In: Chemical Signals in Vertebrates (Ed. A. Marchlewska-Koj, D. Muller-Schwarze & J. Lepri) pp43-50. Plenum Press, New York. [Abstract...]

MUP polymorphic variants

Veggerby, C., Payne, C.E., Gaskell, S.J., Robertson, D.H.L., Hurst, J.L. & Beynon, R.J. (2001) Polymorphic variants of mouse majory urinary proteins. . In: Chemical Signals in Vertebrates (Ed. A. Marchlewska-Koj, D. Muller-Schwarze & J. Lepri) pp157-168. Plenum Press, New York. [Abstract...]

Contact with urinary proteins stimulates countermarking in male mice

Humphries, R. E., Robertson, D. H., Beynon, R. J. & Hurst, J. L. (1999). Unravelling the chemical basis of competitive scent marking in house mice. Anim Behav 58, 1177-1190. [PUBMED] [PDF] [Abstract...]

Limited proteolysis of MUPs

Wu, C., Robertson, D.H.L., Hubbard, S.J. Gaskell, S.J. & Beynon, R.J. (1999) Proteolysis of native enzymes: Trapping of a reaction intermediate. J. Biol. Chem. 274: 1108-1115 [PUBMED] [PDF] [Abstract...]

Protein binding in chemical communication

Beynon, R.J., Robertson, D.H.L., Hubbard, S. J., Gaskell, S.J. & Hurst, J.L. (1999) The role of protein binding in chemical communication: major urinary proteins in the house mouse. in "Chemical Signals in Vertebrates" (R.E. Johnston, D. Müller-Schwarze and P.W.Sorensen eds) Plenum Press pp 137-147 [Abstract...]

Many MUPs expressed by wild mice

Pes, D., Robertson, D.H.L., Hurst, J.L.., Gaskell, S.J. & Beynon, R.J. (1999) How many Major Urinary Proteins are produced by the house mouse Mus domesticus? in "Chemical Signals in Vertebrates" (R.E. Johnston, D. Müller-Schwarze and P.W.Sorensen eds) Plenum Press 149-161 [Abstract...]

MUPs can take up ligands from the environment

Robertson, D., Hurst, J.L., Hubbard, S.J., Gaskell, S.J. & Beynon, R.J. (1998) Ligands of urinary lipocalins from the mouse -uptake of environmentally-derived chemicals. J. Chem. Ecol. 24, 1127-1140 [PUBMED] [PDF] [Abstract...]

MUPs bind volatiles and extend the duration of odour signals

Hurst, J.L., Robertson, D.H.L., Tolladay, U. & Beynon, R.J. (1998) Proteins in scent marks of male house mice extend the emission of olfactory signals. Anim. Behav. 55, 1285-1297 [PUBMED] [PDF] [Abstract...]

Wild mice show much more MUP polymorphism than inbred lab mice

Robertson, D.H.L., Hurst, J L., Bolgar, M.S., Gaskell, S.J.& Beynon, R.J. (1997) Molecular heterogeneity of urinary proteins in wild house mouse populations. Rap. Comm. Mass Spec.11, 786-790 [PUBMED] [PDF] [Abstract...]

MUP molecular heterogeneity

Robertson, D.H.L., Gaskell, S.J., Cox, K., Evershed, R.P. & Beynon, R.J. Molecular heterogeneity in the Major Urinary Proteins of the house mouse, Mus musculus (1996) Biochem. J. 316, 265-272 [PUBMED] [PDF] [Abstract...]