Regulation of odorant receptors: one allele at a time.
Regulation of odorant receptors: one allele at a time.
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DOI：
10.1093/hmg/ddi105
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发表时间：
2005-07
影响因子：
3.5
通讯作者：
B. Shykind
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
B. Shykind
气味受体(ORs)是哺乳动物最大的基因家族。每个嗅觉神经元只从基因组中编码的1000多种可能性中选择一种或，并仅从一个等位基因转录。这一过程产生了巨大的神经元多样性，并为鼻子和大脑之间嗅觉回路的发展和逻辑奠定了基础。这种单等位基因调控背后的机制一直是激烈的猜测和越来越多的实验研究的主题，但仍然是个谜。最近的基因实验使这一过程的轮廓变得更加清晰，确定了一种反馈机制，在这种机制中，第一个气味感受器表达，产生一个信号，稳定它的选择，从而维持单一选择。在没有这个信号的情况下，嗅觉神经元重新进入选择过程，并切换到选择另一个或。嗅觉神经元核中不可逆的遗传变化并不伴随或选择，因此这必须由一个可能涉及随机机制的表观遗传过程启动。
The odorant receptors (ORs) make up the largest gene family in mammals. Each olfactory sensory neuron chooses just one OR from the more than 1000 possibilities encoded in the genome and transcribes it from just one allele. This process generates great neuronal diversity and forms the basis for the development and logic of the olfactory circuit between the nose and the brain. The mechanism behind this monoallelic regulation has been the subject of intense speculation and increasing experimental investigation, yet remains enigmatic. Recent genetic experiments have brought the outlines of the process into sharper relief, identifying a feedback mechanism in which the first odorant receptor expressed, generates a signal that stabilizes its choice, thus maintaining singular selection. In the absence of this signal, the olfactory neuron re-enters the selection process and switches to choose an alternate OR. Irreversible genetic changes in the nuclei of olfactory neurons do not accompany OR selection, which must therefore be initiated by an epigenetic process that may involve a stochastic mechanism.