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Measuring G-protein-coupled Receptor Signaling via Radio-labeled GTP Binding
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dOr83b--receptor or ion channel?

Dieter Wicher1, Ronny Schäfer, René Bauernfeind

  • 1Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany.

Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences
|August 19, 2009
PubMed
Summary

Insect odorant receptors function as ligand-gated ion channels, challenging traditional G protein-coupled receptor models. These receptors, including Or22a and Or83b, activate cation currents and influence intracellular calcium levels.

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Area of Science:

  • Olfactory neuroscience
  • Molecular biology
  • Insect physiology

Background:

  • Odorant receptors (ORs) traditionally signal via G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) pathways, inducing cAMP production and neuronal depolarization.
  • Insect ORs (iORs) differ significantly, lacking sequence similarity to GPCRs and functioning as dimers with a chaperone protein (e.g., Or83b).
  • Despite structural differences, G proteins and cAMP pathways are implicated in insect olfaction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the signal transduction mechanisms of insect odorant receptors (ORs).
  • To elucidate the roles of Or22a and Or83b in olfactory signal activation.
  • To determine if iORs function as ionotropic or metabotropic receptors.

Main Methods:

  • Co-expression of insect ORs (Or22a and Or83b) in mammalian cells.
  • Electrophysiological recordings to measure ion channel activity and cation currents.
  • Measurement of intracellular calcium (Ca2+) concentration changes.
  • Assessment of Or83b function independently and in conjunction with Or22a.

Main Results:

  • Co-expression of Or22a and Or83b generated nonselective cation currents in response to odorants.
  • Odorant activation involved both ionotropic and metabotropic pathways, leading to increased intracellular Ca2+.
  • Or83b alone formed functional ion channels activated by cyclic nucleotides (cAMP/cGMP), not directly by odorants.

Conclusions:

  • Insect odorant receptors can function as ligand-gated ion channels.
  • A dual activation mechanism involving ionotropic and metabotropic pathways contributes to olfactory signaling.
  • Or83b acts as a crucial component, forming odorant-sensing units and cyclic nucleotide-activated channels.