The mouse putative pheromone receptor was specifically activated by stimulation with male mouse urine

To detect the biological activity of mammalian putative pheromone receptors (V1Rs and V2Rs), the mouse V1R gene was introduced into a primary culture of vomeronasal cells using the adenovirus expression system, and the response of these cells to mouse urine was analyzed by calcium imaging. These cells specifically responded to male but not female mouse urine. This response was attenuated by pertussis toxin, a specific inhibitor of G-protein G(ialpha)/G(oalpha) coupling from receptors. Our findings indicate that a putative pheromone receptor was specifically activated by mouse urine, a major source of mouse pheromones, and suggest that G(i)/G(o) are functionally coupled with the receptor.