Major urinary proteins binding with pheromones

Robertson D., Benyon R.L. and Evershed R. (1993). Extraction, characterization and binding analysis of two pheromonally active ligands associated with major urinary proteins of house mouse (Mus musculus). J Chem Ecol 19, 1405-1416. 

Rat a2-gIobulin (A2U) and the homologous mouse protein (major urinary protein, MUP) are the principal proteins secreted in the urine of male rodents. Because male urine affects the behavior and sexual response of females, it has been suggested that these proteins function as pheromone-binding proteins. The crystal structures of both proteins have been determined (Bocskei et al., 1992). As expected (Cowan et al, 1990), both structures have the RBP fold. The Ca coordinates of the /3 barrel agree with an RMS difference of approximately 1.2 A. Both contain a ligand in the center of the barrel, where extensive interactions are made with the hydrophobic residues lining the barrel. For the MUP... 

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