WEDNESDAY, Sept. 10, 2003 (HealthDayNews) -- A fruit fly pheromone receptor discovered by Duke University Medical Center scientists is the first to be linked to a specific sexual behavior.
The researchers found male fruit flies lacking a specific type of taste receptor have difficulty recognizing females. The males lacking this receptor began the normal courtship ritual but stopped when they couldn't detect appropriate chemical clues from the females.
The study appears in the Sept. 11 issue of Neuron.
"Scientists have been chasing pheromone receptors in animals for a long time with little success. Now, we have identified a receptor and a very specific aspect of courtship for which it is required," senior author and geneticist Hubert Amrein says in a news release.
Pheromones are chemical signals released by many animals, including humans. Pheromones are meant to evoke behavioral responses in other individuals of the same species. For example, they're often used to attract members of the opposite sex or to provide cues during courtship and mating.
Despite the importance of pheromones, scientists don't know much about pheromone receptors. These are protein switches that trigger responses to pheromones.
More information
Here's where you can learn more about human pheromones.