Comparative analysis of spatial expression patterns of ectopic olfactory receptors.

Area of Science:

• Oral biology
• Molecular biology
• Genomics

Background:

• The oral mucosa has distinct regions with varying keratinization and barrier functions.
• Ectopic olfactory receptors (ORs) are present in the oral mucosa, but their roles are unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze transcriptomic differences in distinct oral mucosal tissues.
• To investigate the role of ectopic ORs in oral chemosensation.

Main Methods:

• Transcriptomic analysis of mouse gingival, buccal, and palatal tissues.
• Bioinformatic analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs).
• Validation of selected genes using RT-qPCR.

Main Results:

• Buccal, gingival, and palatal epithelia show distinct transcriptional profiles.
• Buccal tissue is enriched in muscle and cytoskeletal genes; keratinization genes are underrepresented.
• Ectopic ORs are non-randomly distributed and linked to keratinization, calcium signaling, and GPCR pathways.

Conclusions:

• Oral mucosal regions are transcriptionally and functionally distinct compartments.
• Ectopic ORs may play a chemosensory role in site-specific oral physiological responses.