Identification, Evolution, and Expression of the Trace Amine-Associated Receptor (TAAR) Gene Family in Atlantic Salmon (Salmo salar)

It is widely hypothesized that Atlantic salmon are imprinted at a young age with olfactory cues, which they use as a guide in order to return to their natal streams to spawn. However, the molecular mechanism(s) behind this biological phenomenon remain unknown. Therefore, in order to better understand imprinting and homing in Atlantic salmon, it is important to characterize the repertoire of olfactory receptors in thisspecies. A search of the first assembly of the Atlantic salmon genome revealed 27 putatively functional trace amine-associated receptor (TAAR) genes and 25 putative TAAR pseudo-genes. Genetic mapping, phylogenetic analysis, binding-site prediction, and quantitative PCR were performed using the Atlantic salmon TAAR genes. The identification of this gene family in Atlantic salmon will facilitate additional studiesinvolving olfaction and homing such as determining the range of allelic variation in olfactory receptors genes of different salmon populations.