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Updated: Jul 13, 2026
06:21
An Ecdysone Receptor-based Singular Gene Switch for Deliberate Expression of Transgene with Robustness, Reversibility, and Negligible Leakiness
Published on: May 7, 2018
Gene cluster lock after pheromone receptor gene choice
Daniele Roppolo1, Sarah Vollery, Chen-Da Kan
1Department of Zoology and Animal Biology, and NCCR Frontiers in Genetics, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
The EMBO Journal
|July 6, 2007
Summary
Mammalian pheromone perception relies on single receptor gene expression. This study reveals a novel regulatory mechanism where a non-functional V1r allele triggers coexpression of another functional V1r gene, ensuring sensory neuron function.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Mammalian pheromone detection involves vomeronasal sensory neurons expressing a limited subset of receptor genes from a large repertoire.
- Precise control over gene expression is crucial for olfactory sensory neuron function and specificity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the transcriptional regulation of the V1rb2 receptor gene in mammalian vomeronasal sensory neurons.
- To elucidate the mechanisms governing monoallelic and monogenic expression of V1r genes.
Main Methods:
- Genetic manipulation of V1r receptor alleles.
- Electrophysiological recordings from vomeronasal sensory neurons.
- Analysis of gene transcription patterns.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated extremely tight control over the monogenic and monoallelic transcription of the V1rb2 receptor gene.
- Showed that transcription of a non-functional V1r allele leads to coexpression of a functional V1r gene.
- Identified that coexpressed genes can be located on homologous clusters, but cis-linked genes are excluded.
Conclusions:
- Proposed a dual-level monogenic regulatory mechanism for V1r gene expression.
- This mechanism involves general regulation by V1r receptor expression and local regulation within V1r gene clusters.
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