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Calcium signalling in squid olfactory receptor neurons.
1Department of Physiology, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA.
Biological Signals and Receptors
|December 11, 1999
Summary
Squid olfactory neurons use intracellular calcium stores for odor detection. Dopamine triggers calcium release, while betaine does not, revealing a novel olfactory transduction pathway.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Olfactory receptor neuron research
- Calcium signaling
Background:
- Olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs) in squid exhibit hyperpolarizing responses to dopamine and betaine.
- The role of intracellular calcium (Ca2+) in transducing these olfactory responses remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the involvement of intracellular Ca2+ in squid ORN odor transduction.
- To elucidate the mechanisms of Ca2+ signaling in response to olfactory stimuli.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Ca2+ imaging techniques to monitor intracellular Ca2+ levels.
- Applied dopamine, betaine, caffeine, and thapsigargin to isolated squid ORNs.
- Investigated Ca2+ release from intracellular stores and store-operated Ca2+ influx.
Main Results:
- Dopamine induced Ca2+ release from intracellular stores, unlike betaine.
- Caffeine application suggested the presence of ryanodine-like receptors.
- Thapsigargin revealed a Ca2+ store depletion-activated Ca2+ influx, blocked by Cd2+.
Conclusions:
- Squid ORNs possess a novel odor transduction system involving Ca2+ release from intracellular stores.
- This pathway differs from typical olfactory transduction mechanisms relying solely on Ca2+ influx.