Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure01:03

Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure

10.9K
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...
10.9K
Drug-Receptor Interaction: Antagonist01:28

Drug-Receptor Interaction: Antagonist

4.5K
An antagonist is a drug that binds strongly to a receptor without activating it. An antagonist prevents other molecules, such as neurotransmitters or hormones, from binding to the receptor and triggering a cellular response. Such interaction effectively hinders the normal physiological processes mediated by the receptor, resulting in various pharmacological effects depending on the specific receptor targeted.
Antagonists can be classified as competitive or noncompetitive based on their...
4.5K
Olfaction01:25

Olfaction

47.7K
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.
The olfactory receptors are embedded in the cilia of the...
47.7K
Adrenergic Antagonists: Chemistry and Classification of ɑ-Receptor Blockers01:17

Adrenergic Antagonists: Chemistry and Classification of ɑ-Receptor Blockers

1.4K
Adrenergic antagonists, or sympatholytics, inhibit adrenoceptor activation driven by catecholamines or agonists. Based on their adrenoceptor specificity, adrenergic blockers can be categorized into two primary groups: α-adrenergic blockers (α-blockers) and β-adrenergic blockers (β-blockers). α-blockers interact with α1 and α2 subtypes of α-adrenoceptors.
Nonselective α-blockers: Nonselective α-blockers contain haloalkylamine or imidazoline...
1.4K
Drug-Receptor Interaction: Agonist01:25

Drug-Receptor Interaction: Agonist

3.6K
Agonists are drugs that interact with specific receptors in the body to produce a biological response. When an agonist binds to a receptor, it activates or enhances the receptor's function, leading to physiological effects. The interaction between agonist drugs and receptors is crucial for their therapeutic action in various medical treatments.
Agonists can bind to receptors in different ways. Some agonists bind directly to the receptor's active site, mimicking the endogenous...
3.6K
Adrenergic Antagonists: Pharmacological Actions of ɑ-Receptor Blockers01:22

Adrenergic Antagonists: Pharmacological Actions of ɑ-Receptor Blockers

1.3K
α-Adrenergic antagonists, known as α-blockers, exert their effects by inhibiting α-adrenoceptors, leading to specific physiological actions. α1-blockers and α2-blockers have distinct pharmacological actions and therapeutic applications.
α1-blockers: These drugs inhibit α1-adrenoceptors on smooth muscle cells, resulting in vasodilation. This vasodilation lowers blood pressure, making α1-blockers valuable in treating hypertension. Additionally,...
1.3K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Author Correction: Streptomyces produce a diphtheria toxin-like exotoxin that targets insects.

Nature microbiology·2026
Same author

Streptomyces produce a diphtheria toxin-like exotoxin that targets insects.

Nature microbiology·2026
Same author

A phytoscreen identifies a garlic compound as a deterrent of mating and egg laying in Drosophila and mosquitoes.

Cell·2026
Same author

The Sensory Basis of Planarian Behavior.

The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience·2026
Same author

Infrared radiation is an ancient pollination signal.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2025
Same author

New dimensions in the molecular genetics of insect chemoreception.

Trends in genetics : TIG·2025
Same journal

A global response contributes to tissue size robustness upon local induction of apoptosis.

Current biology : CB·2026
Same journal

Prebilaterian origin of monoaminergic signaling.

Current biology : CB·2026
Same journal

CLASP-dependent microtubule stabilization generates microtubule-based protrusive forces during Drosophila epithelial morphogenesis.

Current biology : CB·2026
Same journal

Pigeons make slow, divergent eye movements during flight and large, convergent eye movements when landing.

Current biology : CB·2026
Same journal

Temperature signals drive grass secondary cell wall thickening.

Current biology : CB·2026
Same journal

Neuronal RNAi and oxygen-sensing circuit shape germline resilience to heat stress.

Current biology : CB·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 14, 2025

Live-cell Measurement of Odorant Receptor Activation Using a Real-time cAMP Assay
09:11

Live-cell Measurement of Odorant Receptor Activation Using a Real-time cAMP Assay

Published on: October 2, 2017

9.3K

Olfaction: Receptor Antagonistes.

Douglas Rioux1, John R Carlson1

  • 1Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8103, USA.

Current Biology : CB
|July 22, 2020
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Mammalian odor receptors are activated by odorants in combinations. A new study shows that odorant-induced inhibition of these receptors is also common and occurs in combinations.

More Related Videos

Real-time In Vitro Monitoring of Odorant Receptor Activation by an Odorant in the Vapor Phase
09:53

Real-time In Vitro Monitoring of Odorant Receptor Activation by an Odorant in the Vapor Phase

Published on: April 23, 2019

7.4K
High-throughput Analysis of Mammalian Olfactory Receptors: Measurement of Receptor Activation via Luciferase Activity
12:02

High-throughput Analysis of Mammalian Olfactory Receptors: Measurement of Receptor Activation via Luciferase Activity

Published on: June 2, 2014

12.9K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Dec 14, 2025

Live-cell Measurement of Odorant Receptor Activation Using a Real-time cAMP Assay
09:11

Live-cell Measurement of Odorant Receptor Activation Using a Real-time cAMP Assay

Published on: October 2, 2017

9.3K
Real-time In Vitro Monitoring of Odorant Receptor Activation by an Odorant in the Vapor Phase
09:53

Real-time In Vitro Monitoring of Odorant Receptor Activation by an Odorant in the Vapor Phase

Published on: April 23, 2019

7.4K
High-throughput Analysis of Mammalian Olfactory Receptors: Measurement of Receptor Activation via Luciferase Activity
12:02

High-throughput Analysis of Mammalian Olfactory Receptors: Measurement of Receptor Activation via Luciferase Activity

Published on: June 2, 2014

12.9K

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Olfactory system research
  • Sensory biology

Background:

  • Mammalian olfactory receptors (ORs) are known to be activated by odorants in a combinatorial manner.
  • Understanding the full spectrum of OR-odorant interactions is crucial for deciphering olfactory coding.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence and combinatorial nature of odorant-induced inhibition of mammalian olfactory receptors.
  • To expand the understanding of olfactory receptor activation beyond excitatory responses.

Main Methods:

  • Large-scale experimental study involving a comprehensive analysis of olfactory receptor responses.
  • Systematic screening of various odorants and their effects on olfactory receptor activity.

Main Results:

  • Odorant-induced inhibition of olfactory receptors is a prevalent phenomenon.
  • Similar to activation, receptor inhibition by odorants occurs in a combinatorial fashion.
  • This finding suggests a more complex and balanced mechanism in olfactory signaling than previously appreciated.

Conclusions:

  • Olfactory receptor function involves both activation and inhibition, operating combinatorially.
  • The dual role of odorants in activating and inhibiting receptors contributes to the sophisticated processing of olfactory information.
  • Future research should consider both excitatory and inhibitory pathways in olfactory coding.