Possible molecular mechanisms of species recognition by barnacle larvae inferred from multi-specific sequencing analysis of proteinaceous settlement-inducing pheromone.

Gregarious settlement is essential for reproduction and survival of many barnacles. A glycoprotein, settlement-inducing protein complex (SIPC) has been recognized as a signal for settlement and it is expressed in both conspecific adults and larvae. Although the settlement-inducing activities of SIPC are species-specific, the molecular-based mechanism by which larvae distinguish conspecific SIPC from the SIPC of other species is still unknown. Here, the complete primary structure of the SIPC of Megabalanus coccopoma, as well as the partial structure of the SIPCs of Balanus improvisus, Megabalanus rosa, and Elminius modestus are reported. These SIPCs contain highly variable regions that possibly modulate the affinity for the receptor, resulting in the species specificity of SIPC. In addition, the distribution patterns of potential N-glycosylation sites were seen to be different among the various species. Differences in such post-translational modifications may contribute to the species specificity of SIPC.