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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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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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High-throughput Analysis of Mammalian Olfactory Receptors: Measurement of Receptor Activation via Luciferase Activity
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Mammalian odorant receptors: functional evolution and variation.

Yue Jiang1, Hiroaki Matsunami2

  • 1Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA; University Program of Genetics and Genomics, Duke University, NC 27710, USA.

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Summary

Mammalian smell perception relies on odorant receptors (ORs) that vary greatly between individuals. Changes in OR genes significantly alter how specific smells are detected and perceived.

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Area of Science:

  • Olfactory receptor (OR) research
  • Mammalian sensory systems
  • Evolutionary biology

Background:

  • Smell perception in mammals begins with odorant receptors (ORs) binding volatile environmental molecules.
  • The OR gene family shows rapid evolution and significant diversity within human populations.
  • Understanding OR function is key to deciphering olfactory coding.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the functional evolution of mammalian odorant receptors (ORs).
  • To investigate how sequence variations in ORs lead to functional differences.
  • To explore the link between single OR functional variation and odor perception.

Main Methods:

  • Functional expression of odorant receptors (ORs).
  • Ligand identification for specific ORs.
  • Analysis of OR protein sequence changes and their functional consequences.

Main Results:

  • Functional analysis reveals significant variations in ORs due to protein sequence changes.
  • Specific OR variations directly impact the perception of their corresponding odor ligands.
  • These findings provide insights into odor coding mechanisms at the receptor level.

Conclusions:

  • Odorant receptor (OR) evolution is characterized by rapid changes and functional diversity.
  • Single OR variations can substantially alter odor perception, influencing how smells are coded.
  • This research advances our understanding of the molecular basis of smell and its evolutionary trajectory.