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Related Concept Videos

Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure01:03

Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure

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The process of olfaction, also known as the sense of smell, is a sophisticated chemical response system. The specialized sensory neurons that facilitate this process, known as olfactory receptor neurons, are situated in an upper segment of the nasal cavity, known as the olfactory epithelium. Olfactory sensory neurons are bipolar, with their dendrites extending from the epithelium's apex into the mucus that lines the nasal cavity. Airborne molecules, when inhaled, traverse the olfactory...
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Olfaction01:25

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The sense of smell is achieved through the activities of the olfactory system. It starts when an airborne odorant enters the nasal cavity and reaches olfactory epithelium (OE). The OE is protected by a thin layer of mucus, which also serves the purpose of dissolving more complex compounds into simpler chemical odorants. The size of the OE and the density of sensory neurons varies among species; in humans, the OE is only about 9-10 cm2.
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Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway01:20

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Humans detect odors with the help of specialized cells located in the upper part of the nasal cavity, called olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs). ORNs possess hair-like structures called cilia, which are receptive to sensations from the inhaled air. When an odorant molecule binds to a specific receptor on the cell of the cilia, it leads to a series of events that ultimately cause the ORN to send electrical signals to the olfactory bulb in the brain through the olfactory nerves.
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Evolution of New Traits in Microbes01:24

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The evolution of new genes is critical for speciation. Exon recombination, also known as exon shuffling or domain shuffling, is an important means of new gene formation. It is observed across vertebrates, invertebrates, and in some plants such as potatoes and sunflowers. During exon recombination, exons from the same or different genes recombine and produce new exon-intron combinations, which might evolve into new genes. 
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GPCRs are primarily responsible for our sense of smell, taste, and vision.  The binding of a sensory stimulus activates GPCR to stimulate effector proteins, many of which are ion channels in the sensory organs. GPCRs modulate the opening and closing of the target ion channels either directly by binding them, or by releasing second messengers that activate these channels. As ions move across the membrane, the membrane potential is altered, which induces an appropriate response.
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Localization of Odorant Receptor Genes in Locust Antennae by RNA In Situ Hybridization
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Evolution of insect olfactory receptors.

Christine Missbach1, Hany Km Dweck, Heiko Vogel

  • 1Department of Evolutionary Neuroethology, Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology, Jena, Germany.

Elife
|March 28, 2014
PubMed
Summary

Olfactory receptors (ORs) likely evolved later in insect history, not as an adaptation to land. The olfactory coreceptor (Orco) appears to predate the emergence of ORs in insects.

Keywords:
Lepismachilis y-signataOrcoPhyllium siccifoliumThermobia domesticaevolutioninsect olfactory receptors

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Area of Science:

  • * Insect olfaction and chemosensory receptor evolution.
  • * Comparative genomics and molecular biology of sensory systems.

Background:

  • * Insect olfaction relies on diverse chemoreceptors, including olfactory receptors (ORs), ionotropic receptors (IRs), and gustatory receptors (GRs).
  • * ORs are hypothesized to be an adaptation to terrestrial life, but their evolutionary origins remain debated.
  • * IRs are found across Protostomia, suggesting an ancient role in olfaction.

Purpose of the Study:

  • * To investigate the evolutionary history of olfactory receptors (ORs) and olfactory coreceptors (Orco) in basal insect lineages.
  • * To determine the presence and development of OR/Orco systems in Archaeognatha, Zygentoma, and Phasmatodea.
  • * To challenge the hypothesis that ORs evolved solely as an adaptation to terrestrial environments.

Main Methods:

  • * Comparative analysis of olfactory gene families in selected insect species: Lepismachilis y-signata (Archaeognatha), Thermobia domestica (Zygentoma), and Phyllium siccifolium (Phasmatodea).
  • * Bioinformatic identification and characterization of OR and Orco gene candidates.
  • * Phylogenetic analysis to infer evolutionary relationships of olfactory receptors.

Main Results:

  • * Olfactory receptors (ORs) and olfactory coreceptor (Orco) are likely absent in Lepismachilis y-signata (Archaeognatha).
  • * Three Orco candidates were identified in Thermobia domestica (Zygentoma), suggesting partial receptor system development.
  • * Phyllium siccifolium (Phasmatodea) possesses a complete OR/Orco-based olfactory system.

Conclusions:

  • * The OR system did not originate as a terrestrial adaptation but evolved later in insect evolution.
  • * The olfactory coreceptor (Orco) likely predates the emergence of ORs, playing a more fundamental role in insect olfaction.
  • * The presence of ORs varies significantly across insect orders, reflecting diverse evolutionary trajectories.