Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 18, 2026

Flash Photolysis of Caged Compounds in the Cilia of Olfactory Sensory Neurons
11:35

Flash Photolysis of Caged Compounds in the Cilia of Olfactory Sensory Neurons

Published on: October 29, 2011

13.3K

Deciphering the function of the CNGB1b subunit in olfactory CNG channels

Vasilica Nache1, Nisa Wongsamitkul1, Jana Kusch1

  • 1Institute of Physiology II, Jena University Hospital, Friedrich Schiller University Jena, D-07743 Jena, Germany.

Scientific Reports
|July 14, 2016
PubMed

Insights

The CNGB1b subunit in olfactory cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels binds cyclic nucleotides and activates the channel pore. This subunit is highly sensitive and aids in rapid odorant signal termination.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Ion Channel Physiology

Background:

  • Olfactory cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) ion channels are crucial for signal transduction in olfactory sensory neurons.
  • These channels are activated by cAMP and cGMP, leading to depolarization.
  • Olfactory CNG channels are heterotetramers, typically composed of CNGA2, CNGA4, and CNGB1b subunits, with the precise roles of modulatory subunits not fully elucidated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the specific roles of modulatory subunits (CNGA4 and CNGB1b) in the activation and function of olfactory CNG channels.
  • To elucidate the contribution of individual subunits to ligand binding and channel gating.

Main Methods:

  • Simultaneous measurement of ligand binding and channel activation.
  • Functional analysis of heterotetrameric olfactory CNG channels.

Main Results:

  • The CNGB1b subunit, along with CNGA2 and CNGA4, binds cyclic nucleotides.
  • CNGB1b can independently translate cyclic nucleotide binding into channel pore opening.
  • CNGB1b exhibits the highest sensitivity to cyclic nucleotides among the subunits in a heterotetrameric channel.
  • CNGB1b significantly accelerates channel deactivation, similar to CNGA4.

Conclusions:

  • The CNGB1b subunit plays a direct role in the ligand-gated activation of olfactory CNG channels.
  • CNGB1b is a key contributor to the rapid termination of odorant signals in olfactory sensory neurons.

More Related Videos

Analyzing Responses of Mouse Olfactory Sensory Neurons Using the Air-phase Electroolfactogram Recording09:51

Analyzing Responses of Mouse Olfactory Sensory Neurons Using the Air-phase Electroolfactogram Recording

Published on: March 2, 2010

17.6K
A Kinetic Fluorescence-based Ca2+ Mobilization Assay to Identify G Protein-coupled Receptor Agonists, Antagonists, and Allosteric Modulators07:41

A Kinetic Fluorescence-based Ca2+ Mobilization Assay to Identify G Protein-coupled Receptor Agonists, Antagonists, and Allosteric Modulators

Published on: February 20, 2018

9.6K

Related Concept Videos

G-Protein Gated Ion Channels01:21

G-Protein Gated Ion Channels

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.
Sensory...
6.7K
GPCRs Regulate Adenylyl Cylase Activity01:09

GPCRs Regulate Adenylyl Cylase Activity

Some GPCRs transmit signals through adenylyl cyclase (AC), a transmembrane enzyme. AC helps synthesize second messenger cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). AC catalyzes cyclization reaction and converts ATP to cAMP by releasing a pyrophosphate. The pyrophosphate is further hydrolyzed to phosphate by the enzyme pyrophosphatase, which drives cAMP synthesis to completion. However, cAMP is rapidly degraded to 5′ AMP by the enzymes phosphodiesterase (PDE), preventing overstimulation of...
8.1K
Activation and Inactivation of G Proteins01:22

Activation and Inactivation of G Proteins

Heterotrimeric G proteins are guanine nucleotide-binding proteins. As the name suggests, heterotrimeric G proteins are composed of three subunits: alpha, beta, and gamma. They remain GDP-bound or GTP-bound inside the cells and switch between inactive/active states. The Gα subunit possesses the nucleotide-binding pocket that binds guanine nucleotides and switches between GDP or GTP-bound states. In contrast, the Gꞵ and Gγ subunits are always bound together with high...
12.2K
G-protein Coupled Receptors01:21

G-protein Coupled Receptors

G-protein coupled receptors are ligand binding receptors that indirectly affect changes in the cell. The actual receptor is a single polypeptide that transverses the cell membrane seven times creating intracellular and extracellular loops. The extracellular loops create a ligand specific pocket which binds to neurotransmitters or hormones. The intracellular loops holds onto the G-protein.
133.8K
G-protein Coupled Receptors01:21

G-protein Coupled Receptors

6.5K
Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway01:20

Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway

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.
The olfactory...
13.8K