Work

Heteromeric Anopheline Odorant Receptors Exhibit Distinct Channel Properties

Year: 2011

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Insect odorant receptors (ORs) function as odorant-gated ion channels consisting of a conventional, odorant-binding OR and the Orco coreceptor. While Orco can function as a homomeric ion channel, the role(s) of the conventional OR in heteromeric OR complexes has largely focused only on odorant recognition. RESULTS: To investigate other roles of odorant-binding ORs, we have employed patch clamp electrophysiology to investigate the properties of the channel pore of several OR complexes formed by a range of different odorant-specific Anopheles gambiae ORs (AgOrs) each paired with AgOrco. These studies reveal significant differences in cation permeability and ruthenium red susceptibility among different AgOr complexes. CONCLUSIONS: With observable differences in channel function, the data support a model in which the odorant-binding OR also affects the channel pore. The variable effect contributed by the conventional OR on the conductive properties of odorant-gated sensory channels adds additional complexity to insect olfactory signaling, with differences in odor coding beginning with ORs on the periphery of the olfactory system.

Source: PLoS ONE

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0028774

Authors: Gregory M. Pask, Patrick L. Jones, Michael Rützler, David C. Rinker, Laurence J. Zwiebel

Institutions: Vanderbilt University, Aarhus University, Vanderbilt University Medical Center

Language: English

Topic: Neurobiology and Insect Physiology Research

Subfield: Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,382

Funders: Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of General Medical Sciences, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases