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Stomatin-related olfactory protein, SRO, specifically expressed in the murine olfactory sensory neurons
Ko Kobayakawa1, Reiko Hayashi, Kenji Morita
1Department of Biophysics and Biochemistry, Graduate School of Science, University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan.
Abstract:
We identified a stomatin-related olfactory protein (SRO) that is specifically expressed in olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs). The mouse sro gene encodes a polypeptide of 287 amino acids with a calculated molecular weight of 32 kDa. SRO shares 82% sequence similarity with the murine stomatin, 78% with Caenorhabditis elegans MEC-2, and 77% with C. elegans UNC-1. Unlike other stomatin-family genes, the sro transcript was present only in OSNs of the main olfactory epithelium. No sro expression was seen in vomeronasal neurons. SRO was abundant in most apical dendrites of OSNs, including olfactory cilia. Immunoprecipitation revealed that SRO associates with adenylyl cyclase type III and caveolin-1 in the low-density membrane fraction of olfactory cilia. Furthermore, anti-SRO antibodies stimulated cAMP production in fractionated cilia membrane. SRO may play a crucial role in modulating odorant signals in the lipid rafts of olfactory cilia.
Insights
We discovered a novel stomatin-related olfactory protein (SRO) exclusively in olfactory sensory neurons. This protein associates with key signaling molecules in olfactory cilia, suggesting a role in odorant signal modulation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Olfactory System Research
Background:
- Olfactory sensory neurons (OSNs) detect diverse odorants.
- Stomatin-family proteins are involved in membrane function.
- The specific role of stomatin-related proteins in olfaction was previously unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize a novel stomatin-related protein in the olfactory system.
- To investigate the localization and function of this protein within OSNs.
Main Methods:
- Gene identification and sequence analysis.
- In situ hybridization to determine tissue expression.
- Immunoprecipitation and Western blotting to identify protein interactions.
- Functional assays measuring cyclic AMP (cAMP) production.
Main Results:
- A novel stomatin-related olfactory protein (SRO) was identified, specifically expressed in mouse OSNs.
- SRO is localized to the apical dendrites and cilia of OSNs.
- SRO interacts with adenylyl cyclase type III and caveolin-1 in olfactory cilia lipid rafts.
- Antibodies against SRO stimulated cAMP production in fractionated cilia membranes.
Conclusions:
- SRO is a novel protein specifically expressed in olfactory sensory neurons.
- SRO is localized to olfactory cilia and interacts with signaling proteins.
- SRO likely plays a critical role in modulating odorant signal transduction within olfactory cilia lipid rafts.