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Updated: May 5, 2026
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Imaging Odor-Evoked Activities in the Mouse Olfactory Bulb using Optical Reflectance and Autofluorescence Signals
Published on: October 31, 2011
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LUSH shapes up for a starring role in olfaction
1Department of Cell Biology, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 North Torrey Pines Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. stowers@scripps.edu
Cell
|July 1, 2008
Summary
The odorant-binding protein LUSH in fruit flies changes shape when it binds to pheromones. This conformational change, not passive transport, activates olfactory neurons.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Insect olfaction
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) are crucial for insect olfaction, secreted into the sensillum lymph bathing olfactory receptor neurons.
- The protein LUSH in Drosophila melanogaster is a well-studied OBP involved in pheromone detection.
Discussion:
- Laughlin et al. (2008) investigated the mechanism of LUSH function, challenging the prevailing passive transport model.
- Their findings suggest that LUSH's interaction with its pheromone ligand is not merely a delivery system.
Key Insights:
- LUSH undergoes a significant conformational change upon binding its specific pheromone.
- This ligand-induced conformational change is directly responsible for initiating neuronal activation.
Outlook:
- This discovery reframes the understanding of OBP function in olfactory signaling.
- Future research may explore similar mechanisms in other OBPs and sensory systems.
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