A Comparative biology study of the relationship between salivary proteins and diet in the phyllostomid family of bats

Abstract

Critical proteins, contained within salivary gland secretions, are likely responsible for mediating many essential and protective functions within the oral cavity. However, in relation to oral health, the in vivo importance of these salivary proteins remains to be confirmed. This study examined the relationship between diet and specific salivary gene expression in a novel and comparative mammalian biology model system. Single submandibular glands were obtained from four species of phyllostomid bats: Desmodus rotundus, Phyllostomus hastatus, Carollia brevicauda and Artibeus obscurus. Sequence analysis of arrayed eDNA clones, representing abundant mRNAs (and therefore abundant proteins), identified several proteins that were highly expressed. The short palate and nasal epithelium clone, statherin!histatin, lipophilin, lipocalin and calcitonin gene related peptides were among the most abundant. The variation in abundance pattern of these proteins between species may be due to an adaptation to the particular diet of the bat or for immune modulation.