Elucidation of the membrane transport mechanisms of olfactory receptors for diverse odorant recognition in olfaction

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K15745
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 43030:Functional biochemistry-related
• Research Institution: Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology
• Principal Investigator: Fukutani Yosuke 東京農工大学, 工学(系)研究科(研究院), 助教 (50747136)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 嗅覚受容体 / RTP1S / 細胞膜輸送 / BioID / 異種細胞発現 / 匂い分子

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The aim of this study was to elucidate the functional expression mechanism of mammalian odorant receptors involved in odor perception through olfaction. Using site-directed mutagenesis, we targeted a conserved amino acid among odorant receptors with high functional expression in heterologous cells as an indicator, successfully enhancing the expression of low-expressing odorant receptors. Additionally, we discovered a novel chaperone protein that works in conjunction with RTP1S, facilitating the transport of odorant receptors to the cell membrane. These findings not only shed light on the expression process of odorant receptors but also hold promise for engineering applications of these receptors.

Free Research Field

分子生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

嗅覚が多様なニオイ分子を高感度に嗅ぎ分けることができるメカニズムは解明されていなく、嗅覚を模倣したニオイセンサーなども開発されていない。生物は数百種類におよぶ嗅覚受容体のニオイ分子選択性の違いを利用していると考えられるが、多くの嗅覚受容体の生産が難しく、機能解析が困難であった。本研究での成果である嗅覚受容体の高発現化と新規シャペロン分子の同定により、嗅覚受容体の安定生産に繋げることができ、多彩な匂い分子機構の解明と嗅覚受容体を利用した実用的なニオイセンサー開発への貢献が期待できる。