The goal of this proposal is to investigate the molecular mechanisms of signal transduction in the mammalian vomeronasal chemoreception in mice and voles will be used as a model system, since their reproductive physiology and behavior is strongly influenced by pheromonal cues and putative pheromone receptors have been discovered and characterized. Previous studies indicate that microvillar membranes detached from the apical dendrites of porcine vomeronasal neurons are enriched in adenylate cyclase and phospholipase C, and that the application of boar urine and seminar fluid to microfillar vomeronasal juvenile females causes production of inositol triphosphate via A Gq-related. This application proposes to: 1. Map the signal transduction mechanisms in the vomeronasal organ of female mice and pine voles: 2. Fractionate by male urine by high pressure liquid chromatography and purify pheromones that stimulate phospholipase C in microvillar membranes from female vomeronasal organs; 3. Identify a vomeronasal microvillar membrane proteins that undergo pheromone-induced phosphorylation through a G- protein coupled receptor kinase to provide insights in the regulation of pheromonal signal transduction. The proposed studies will provide the first molecular description. The proposed studies will provide desensitization process of reproductive pheromones in mammalian vomeronasal neurons. In addition they will provide specific ligands for some of the identified putative pheromone receptors.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS)
Type
Minority Biomedical Research Support - MBRS (S06)
Project #
5S06GM008219-18
Application #
6644288
Study Section
Minority Programs Review Committee (MPRC)
Project Start
2002-08-01
Project End
2003-07-31
Budget Start
Budget End
Support Year
18
Fiscal Year
2002
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Alabama State University
Department
Type
DUNS #
040672685
City
Montgomery
State
AL
Country
United States
Zip Code
36101
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