Characterization of V1R receptor (ora) genes in Lake Victoria cichlids

Although olfaction could play a crucial role in underwater habitats by allowing fish to sense a variety of nonvolatile chemical signals, the importance of olfaction in species-rich cichlids is still controversial. In particular, examining whether cichlids rely on olfaction for reproduction is of primary interest to understand the mechanisms of speciation. In the present study, we explored the V1R (also known as ora) genes, which are believed to encode reproductive pheromone receptors in fish, in the genomes of Lake Victoria cichlids. By screening a bacterial artificial chromosome library, we identified all six intact V1R genes (V1R1 to V1R6) that have been reported in other teleost fish. Furthermore, RT-PCR and in situ hybridization analyses showed that all of the V1R genes were expressed in the olfactory epithelium, indicating that these receptors are functional in cichlids. These observations indicate that cichlids use V1R-mediated olfaction in some ways for their social behaviors.

► We identified all six intact V1R genes (V1R1 to V1R6) in Lake Victoria cichlids.
► All V1R mRNAs are expressed in the olfactory epithelium of Lake Victoria cichlids.
► Lake Victoria cichlids may use V1R-mediated olfaction in their social behavior.