Cellular localization and signal transduction of a novel family of olfactory receptors

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The activation of olfactory receptors by odors constitutes the first step in the neuronal processing of olfactory stimuli. The subsequent signal transduction cascade is characteristically different for the different families of olfactory receptor genes and determines the processing properties of the corresponding olfactory receptor neurons. We have identified a novel family of olfactory receptors, the ORAs, which are GPCRs and related to the mammalian VIR pheromone receptor gene family. The ORA family exhibits several novel and unexpected properties and is therefore of high interest.With this application we wish to determine, which of the three known types of olfactory receptor neurons expresses the ora genes. Using co-localization studies we will find out, which G proteins and ion channels may contribute to signal transduction of ORA receptors. Competition and deprivation experiments together with activation of receptors by ligands will prove the contribution of candidate signal transduction molecules. We will genetically label the ORA-expressing receptor neurons in zebrafish to determine their target glomeruli.