A feedback mechanism regulates monoallelic odorant receptor expression
Abstract
In olfactory neurons, expression of a single odorant receptor (OR) from a repertoire of >1,000 genes is required for odor coding and axonal targeting. Here, we demonstrate a role for OR protein as an essential regulator in the establishment of monoallelic OR expression. An OR-promoter-driven reporter expresses in a receptor-like pattern but, unlike a native OR, is coexpressed with an additional OR allele. Expression of a functional OR from the identical promoter eliminates expression of other OR alleles. The presence of an untranslatable OR coding sequence in the mRNA is insufficient to exclude expression of a second OR. Together, these data identify the OR protein as a critical element in a feedback pathway that regulates OR selection.
- Publication:
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Proceedings of the National Academy of Science
- Pub Date:
- January 2004
- DOI:
- 10.1073/pnas.0307986100
- Bibcode:
- 2004PNAS..101.1069L
- Keywords:
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- NEUROSCIENCE