Identification of natural ligands for olfactory receptors and elucidation of biological function

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24227003
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (S)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: Functional biochemistry
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: Touhara Kazushige 東京大学, 大学院農学生命科学研究科(農学部), 教授 (00280925)
• Research Collaborator: Ihara Sayoko 東京大学, 大学院農学生命科学研究科, 助教 (80292788) ; Niimura Yoshihito 東京大学, 大学院農学生命科学研究科, 特任准教授 (90396979) ; Yoshikawa Keiichi 東京大学, 大学院農学生命科学研究科, 特任研究員 ; Horio Nao 東京大学, 大学院農学生命科学研究科, 特任研究員 (80726448) ; Takai Yoshiki ; Abe Takayuki ; Sato Narumi ; Kaneko Shoji 東京大学, 大学院農学生命科学研究科, 大学院生
• Project Period (FY): 2012-05-31 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 嗅覚受容体 / 匂い物質 / リガンド / 生理活性物質 / 嗅覚

Outline of Final Research Achievements

It has not been known what kind of odorants mice recognize via olfactory receptors in a natural environment. Olfactory receptors are expressed in non-olfactory tissues, although their endogenous ligands have not been identified. In this study, we aimed to identify natural or endogenous ligands for olfactory receptors. We developed an efficient odorant response assay that was suitable for natural ligand screening. A novel fatty acid derivative released in the preputial gland was found to be a natural ligand for an olfactory receptor. An endogenous ligand for an ovary-expressing olfactory receptor was identified. This study gives insights into areas of animal social behavior and neuroscience, ecology and environmental science, and pharmacology and drug development.

Free Research Field

生命科学