嗅覚受容器細胞におけるG蛋白質介在性情報変換の分子機構

本研究主要探讨嗅觉感受器细胞的化学-电传导机制。(1)气味适应机制：发现嗅觉感受器细胞的气味适应受Ca反馈调节。发现胞质Ca的主要靶是转导通道。(2)T型钙通道对动作电位产生的贡献：一般认为嗅觉感受器细胞动作电位是由Na通道触发的。在本研究中，膜电流进行了详细的研究。研究发现，除Na通道外，T型Ca通道的开放对动作电位的产生也起重要作用。(3)气味物质对电压门控离子通道的非选择性抑制（4）肾上腺素对气味感觉的调节：本研究中，肾上腺素是一种已知的可溶性激素，可调节嗅觉受体细胞的活性。这可以解释嗅觉如何受到情绪或身体状态的影响。

In the present study, we investigated the chemo-electrical transduction mechanism in the olfactory receptor cell, Following is the list of the specific subjects focused in the present study.(1) Mechanism of odorant adaptation : It was found that odorant adaptation in the olfactory receptor cell in regulated by a Ca feedback. The main target of the cytoplasmic Ca is found to be the transduction channel.(2) Contribution of T-type Ca channel on action potential generation : It has been generally believed that in olfactory receptor cell action potentials are triggered by Na channel. In the present study, membrane currents were investigated in detail. It was found that, in addition to Na channel, opening of T-type Ca channels play an important role for the generation of action potential.(3) Non-selective suppression by odorants of voltage-gated ionic channels(4) Modification of odorant perception by adrenaline : In this study adrenaline, a well-known soluble hormone, can modulate activity of olfactory receptor cell. This may explain how olfactory perception is influenced by emotional or physical states.