101
|
von der Weid B, Rossier D, Lindup M, Tuberosa J, Widmer A, Col JD, Kan C, Carleton A, Rodriguez I. Large-scale transcriptional profiling of chemosensory neurons identifies receptor-ligand pairs in vivo. Nat Neurosci 2015; 18:1455-63. [PMID: 26322926 DOI: 10.1038/nn.4100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2015] [Accepted: 08/04/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
In mammals, olfactory perception is based on the combinatorial activation of G protein-coupled receptors. Identifying the full repertoire of receptors activated by a given odorant in vivo, a quest that has been hampered for over 20 years by technical difficulties, would represent an important step in deciphering the rules governing chemoperception. We found that odorants induced a fast and reversible concentration-dependent decrease in the transcription of genes corresponding to activated receptors in intact mice. On the basis of this finding, we developed a large-scale transcriptomic approach to uncover receptor-ligand pairs in vivo. We identified the mouse and rat odorant receptor signatures corresponding to specific odorants. Finally, we found that this approach, which can be used for species for which no genomic sequence is available, is also applicable to non-vertebrate species such as Drosophila.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Benoît von der Weid
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Geneva Neuroscience Center, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Institute of Genetics and Genomics of Geneva, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Daniel Rossier
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Geneva Neuroscience Center, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Institute of Genetics and Genomics of Geneva, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Matti Lindup
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Geneva Neuroscience Center, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Institute of Genetics and Genomics of Geneva, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Joël Tuberosa
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Geneva Neuroscience Center, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Institute of Genetics and Genomics of Geneva, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Alexandre Widmer
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Geneva Neuroscience Center, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Institute of Genetics and Genomics of Geneva, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Julien Dal Col
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Geneva Neuroscience Center, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Institute of Genetics and Genomics of Geneva, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Chenda Kan
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Geneva Neuroscience Center, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Institute of Genetics and Genomics of Geneva, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Alan Carleton
- Geneva Neuroscience Center, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Department of Basic Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Ivan Rodriguez
- Department of Genetics and Evolution, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Geneva Neuroscience Center, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.,Institute of Genetics and Genomics of Geneva, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
102
|
Cyclic Regulation of Sensory Perception by a Female Hormone Alters Behavior. Cell 2015; 161:1334-44. [PMID: 26046438 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2015.04.052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 129] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2014] [Revised: 01/23/2015] [Accepted: 04/06/2015] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Females may display dramatically different behavior depending on their state of ovulation. This is thought to occur through sex-specific hormones acting on behavioral centers in the brain. Whether incoming sensory activity also differs across the ovulation cycle to alter behavior has not been investigated. Here, we show that female mouse vomeronasal sensory neurons (VSNs) are temporarily and specifically rendered "blind" to a subset of male-emitted pheromone ligands during diestrus yet fully detect and respond to the same ligands during estrus. VSN silencing occurs through the action of the female sex-steroid progesterone. Not all VSNs are targeted for silencing; those detecting cat ligands remain continuously active irrespective of the estrous state. We identify the signaling components that account for the capacity of progesterone to target specific subsets of male-pheromone responsive neurons for inactivation. These findings indicate that internal physiology can selectively and directly modulate sensory input to produce state-specific behavior. PAPERCLIP.
Collapse
|
103
|
Saraiva LR, Ahuja G, Ivandic I, Syed AS, Marioni JC, Korsching SI, Logan DW. Molecular and neuronal homology between the olfactory systems of zebrafish and mouse. Sci Rep 2015; 5:11487. [PMID: 26108469 PMCID: PMC4480006 DOI: 10.1038/srep11487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2015] [Accepted: 05/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Studies of the two major olfactory organs of rodents, the olfactory mucosa (OM) and the vomeronasal organ (VNO), unraveled the molecular basis of smell in vertebrates. However, some vertebrates lack a VNO. Here we generated and analyzed the olfactory transcriptome of the zebrafish and compared it to the olfactory transcriptomes of mouse to investigate the evolutionary and molecular relationship between single and dual olfactory systems. Our analyses revealed a high degree of molecular conservation, with orthologs of mouse olfactory cell-specific markers and all but one of their chemosensory receptor classes expressed in the single zebrafish olfactory organ. Zebrafish chemosensory receptor genes are expressed across a large dynamic range and their RNA abundance correlates positively with the number of neurons expressing that RNA. Thus we estimate the relative proportions of neuronal sub-types expressing different chemosensory receptors. Receptor repertoire size drives the absolute abundance of different classes of neurons, but we find similar underlying patterns in both species. Finally, we identified novel marker genes that characterize rare neuronal populations in both mouse and zebrafish. In sum, we find that the molecular and cellular mechanisms underpinning olfaction in teleosts and mammals are similar despite 430 million years of evolutionary divergence.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luis R Saraiva
- 1] Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton-Cambridge, CB10 1SA, United Kingdom [2] European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton-Cambridge, CB10 1SD, United Kingdom
| | - Gaurav Ahuja
- Institut für Genetik, Universität zu Köln, Cologne, 50674, Germany
| | - Ivan Ivandic
- Institut für Genetik, Universität zu Köln, Cologne, 50674, Germany
| | - Adnan S Syed
- Institut für Genetik, Universität zu Köln, Cologne, 50674, Germany
| | - John C Marioni
- European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI), European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton-Cambridge, CB10 1SD, United Kingdom
| | | | - Darren W Logan
- Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Wellcome Trust Genome Campus, Hinxton-Cambridge, CB10 1SA, United Kingdom
| |
Collapse
|
104
|
Flegel C, Schöbel N, Altmüller J, Becker C, Tannapfel A, Hatt H, Gisselmann G. RNA-Seq Analysis of Human Trigeminal and Dorsal Root Ganglia with a Focus on Chemoreceptors. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0128951. [PMID: 26070209 PMCID: PMC4466559 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0128951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 131] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2015] [Accepted: 05/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The chemosensory capacity of the somatosensory system relies on the appropriate expression of chemoreceptors, which detect chemical stimuli and transduce sensory information into cellular signals. Knowledge of the complete repertoire of the chemoreceptors expressed in human sensory ganglia is lacking. This study employed the next-generation sequencing technique (RNA-Seq) to conduct the first expression analysis of human trigeminal ganglia (TG) and dorsal root ganglia (DRG). We analyzed the data with a focus on G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) and ion channels, which are (potentially) involved in chemosensation by somatosensory neurons in the human TG and DRG. For years, transient receptor potential (TRP) channels have been considered the main group of receptors for chemosensation in the trigeminal system. Interestingly, we could show that sensory ganglia also express a panel of different olfactory receptors (ORs) with putative chemosensory function. To characterize OR expression in more detail, we performed microarray, semi-quantitative RT-PCR experiments, and immunohistochemical staining. Additionally, we analyzed the expression data to identify further known or putative classes of chemoreceptors in the human TG and DRG. Our results give an overview of the major classes of chemoreceptors expressed in the human TG and DRG and provide the basis for a broader understanding of the reception of chemical cues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caroline Flegel
- Department of Cell Physiology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Nicole Schöbel
- Department of Animal Physiology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Hanns Hatt
- Department of Cell Physiology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Günter Gisselmann
- Department of Cell Physiology, Ruhr-University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
105
|
Wilburn DB, Swanson WJ. From molecules to mating: Rapid evolution and biochemical studies of reproductive proteins. J Proteomics 2015; 135:12-25. [PMID: 26074353 DOI: 10.1016/j.jprot.2015.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2015] [Revised: 06/09/2015] [Accepted: 06/10/2015] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Sexual reproduction and the exchange of genetic information are essential biological processes for species across all branches of the tree of life. Over the last four decades, biochemists have continued to identify many of the factors that facilitate reproduction, but the molecular mechanisms that mediate this process continue to elude us. However, a recurring observation in this research has been the rapid evolution of reproductive proteins. In animals, the competing interests of males and females often result in arms race dynamics between pairs of interacting proteins. This phenomenon has been observed in all stages of reproduction, including pheromones, seminal fluid components, and gamete recognition proteins. In this article, we review how the integration of evolutionary theory with biochemical experiments can be used to study interacting reproductive proteins. Examples are included from both model and non-model organisms, and recent studies are highlighted for their use of state-of-the-art genomic and proteomic techniques. SIGNIFICANCE Despite decades of research, our understanding of the molecular mechanisms that mediate fertilization remain poorly characterized. To date, molecular evolutionary studies on both model and non-model organisms have provided some of the best inferences to elucidating the molecular underpinnings of animal reproduction. This review article details how biochemical and evolutionary experiments have jointly enhanced the field for 40 years, and how recent work using high-throughput genomic and proteomic techniques have shed additional insights into this crucial biological process.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Damien B Wilburn
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, United States.
| | - Willie J Swanson
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, United States
| |
Collapse
|
106
|
Shum EY, Espinoza JL, Ramaiah M, Wilkinson MF. Identification of novel post-transcriptional features in olfactory receptor family mRNAs. Nucleic Acids Res 2015; 43:9314-26. [PMID: 25908788 PMCID: PMC4627058 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkv324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2014] [Accepted: 03/30/2015] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Olfactory receptor (Olfr) genes comprise the largest gene family in mice. Despite their importance in olfaction, how most Olfr mRNAs are regulated remains unexplored. Using RNA-seq analysis coupled with analysis of pre-existing databases, we found that Olfr mRNAs have several atypical features suggesting that post-transcriptional regulation impacts their expression. First, Olfr mRNAs, as a group, have dramatically higher average AU-content and lower predicted secondary structure than do control mRNAs. Second, Olfr mRNAs have a higher density of AU-rich elements (AREs) in their 3'UTR and upstream open reading frames (uORFs) in their 5 UTR than do control mRNAs. Third, Olfr mRNAs have shorter 3' UTR regions and with fewer predicted miRNA-binding sites. All of these novel properties correlated with higher Olfr expression. We also identified striking differences in the post-transcriptional features of the mRNAs from the two major classes of Olfr genes, a finding consistent with their independent evolutionary origin. Together, our results suggest that the Olfr gene family has encountered unusual selective forces in neural cells that have driven them to acquire unique post-transcriptional regulatory features. In support of this possibility, we found that while Olfr mRNAs are degraded by a deadenylation-dependent mechanism, they are largely protected from this decay in neural lineage cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eleen Y Shum
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0695, USA
| | - Josh L Espinoza
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0695, USA
| | - Madhuvanthi Ramaiah
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0695, USA
| | - Miles F Wilkinson
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0695, USA Institute of Genomic Medicine, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| |
Collapse
|
107
|
Abstract
The senses provide a means by which data on the physical and chemical properties of the environment may be collected and meaningfully interpreted. Sensation begins at the periphery, where a multitude of different sensory cell types are activated by environmental stimuli as different as photons and odorant molecules. Stimulus sensitivity is due to expression of different cell surface sensory receptors, and therefore the receptive field of each sense is defined by the aggregate of expressed receptors in each sensory tissue. Here, we review current understanding on patterns of expression and modes of regulation of sensory receptors.
Collapse
|
108
|
|
109
|
Wallrabenstein I, Gerber J, Rasche S, Croy I, Kurtenbach S, Hummel T, Hatt H. The smelling of Hedione results in sex-differentiated human brain activity. Neuroimage 2015; 113:365-73. [PMID: 25797832 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroimage.2015.03.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2014] [Revised: 03/10/2015] [Accepted: 03/11/2015] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
A large family of vomeronasal receptors recognizes pheromone cues in many animals including most amphibia, reptiles, rhodents, and other mammals. Humans possess five vomeronasal-type 1 receptor genes (VN1R1-VN1R5), which code for proteins that are functional in recombinant expression systems. We used two different recombinant expression systems and identified Hedione as a ligand for the putative human pheromone receptor VN1R1 expressed in the human olfactory mucosa. Following the ligand identification, we employed functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in healthy volunteers to characterize the in vivo action of the VN1R1 ligand Hedione. In comparison to a common floral odor (phenylethyl alcohol), Hedione exhibited significantly enhanced activation in limbic areas (amygdala, hippocampus) and elicited a sex-differentiated response in a hypothalamic region that is associated with hormonal release. Utilizing a novel combination of methods, our results indicate that the putative human pheromone receptor VN1R1 is involved in extra-olfactory neuronal activations induced by the odorous substance Hedione. The activation of VN1R1 might play a role in gender-specific modulation of hormonal secretion in humans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- I Wallrabenstein
- Department of Cell Physiology, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, 44801 Bochum, Germany.
| | - J Gerber
- Department of Neuroradiology, Medizinische Fakultät Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany.
| | - S Rasche
- Department of Cell Physiology, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, 44801 Bochum, Germany.
| | - I Croy
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Smell and Taste Clinic, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany.
| | - S Kurtenbach
- Department of Cell Physiology, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, 44801 Bochum, Germany.
| | - T Hummel
- Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Smell and Taste Clinic, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstr. 74, 01307 Dresden, Germany.
| | - H Hatt
- Department of Cell Physiology, Ruhr University Bochum, Universitätsstr. 150, 44801 Bochum, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
110
|
Stowers L, Kuo TH. Mammalian pheromones: emerging properties and mechanisms of detection. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2015; 34:103-9. [PMID: 25747731 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2015.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2015] [Revised: 02/11/2015] [Accepted: 02/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The concept of mammalian pheromones was established decades before the discovery of any bioactive ligands. Therefore, their molecular identity, native sources, and the meaning of their detection has been largely speculative. There has been recent success in identifying a variety of candidate mouse pheromones and other specialized odors. These discoveries reveal that mammalian pheromones come in a variety of ligand types and they are detected by sensory neurons that are pre-set to promote an array of social and survival behaviors. Importantly, recent findings show that they activate molecularly diverse sensory neurons that differ from canonical odorant detectors. These novel sensory neurons hold future promise to unlock the mystery of how their detection is hardwired to generate behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Stowers
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
| | - Tsung-Han Kuo
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, The Scripps Research Institute, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
111
|
Pérez-Gómez A, Stein B, Leinders-Zufall T, Chamero P. Signaling mechanisms and behavioral function of the mouse basal vomeronasal neuroepithelium. Front Neuroanat 2014; 8:135. [PMID: 25505388 PMCID: PMC4244706 DOI: 10.3389/fnana.2014.00135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2014] [Accepted: 11/03/2014] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
The vomeronasal organ (VNO) is a sensory organ that is found in most terrestrial vertebrates and that is principally implicated in the detection of pheromones. The VNO contains specialized sensory neurons organized in a pseudostratified neuroepithelium that recognize chemical signals involved in initiating innate behavioral responses. In rodents, the VNO neuroepithelium is segregated into two distinct zones, apical and basal. The molecular mechanisms involved in ligand detection by apical and basal VNO sensory neurons differ extensively. These two VNO subsystems express different subfamilies of vomeronasal receptors and signaling molecules, detect distinct chemosignals, and project to separate regions of the accessory olfactory bulb (AOB). The roles that these olfactory subdivisions play in the control of specific olfactory-mediated behaviors are largely unclear. However, analysis of mutant mouse lines for signal transduction components together with identification of defined chemosensory ligands has revealed a fundamental role of the basal part of the mouse VNO in mediating a wide range of instinctive behaviors, such as aggression, predator avoidance, and sexual attraction. Here we will compare the divergent functions and synergies between the olfactory subsystems and consider new insights in how higher neural circuits are defined for the initiation of instinctive behaviors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anabel Pérez-Gómez
- Department of Physiology, University of Saarland School of Medicine Homburg, Saarland, Germany
| | - Benjamin Stein
- Department of Physiology, University of Saarland School of Medicine Homburg, Saarland, Germany
| | - Trese Leinders-Zufall
- Department of Physiology, University of Saarland School of Medicine Homburg, Saarland, Germany
| | - Pablo Chamero
- Department of Physiology, University of Saarland School of Medicine Homburg, Saarland, Germany
| |
Collapse
|