Attenuation of the production of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate in the mouse vomeronasal organ by antibodies against the alphaq/11 subfamily of G-proteins

Chem Senses. 2006 Sep;31(7):613-9. doi: 10.1093/chemse/bjj066. Epub 2006 Jun 6.

Abstract

The social and reproductive behaviors of most mammals are modulated by pheromones, which are perceived by the vomeronasal organ (VNO). Vomeronasal transduction in vertebrates is activated through G-protein-coupled receptors, which in turn leads to the generation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP(3)) and diacylglycerol (DAG) by the activity of phospholipase C. DAG has been shown to gate the transient receptor potential channel 2, whereas IP(3) may play a role in stimulating the release of calcium from the endoplasmic reticulum store. To investigate the role of the alpha subunits of G(q/11) in the transduction process, microvillar membranes from female mice VNO were preincubated with a selective C-terminal peptide antibody against Galpha(q/11) and then stimulated with adult male urine. Incubation of VNO membranes with antibodies against Galpha(q/11) blocked the production of IP(3) in a dose-dependent manner. We were also able to impair the production of IP(3) when we stimulated with 2-heptanone or 2,5-dimethylpyrazine in the presence of antibodies against the alpha subunit of G(q/11). 2-Heptanone is a known pheromone that has been linked to VIR receptors. Thus, our observations indicate that the alpha subunits of G(q/11) play a role in pheromonal signaling in the VNO.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Angiotensin II / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Angiotensin II / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Antibodies / pharmacology*
  • Cell Membrane / chemistry
  • Cell Membrane / drug effects
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Diglycerides / biosynthesis
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Enzyme Activation
  • Female
  • GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gq-G11 / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gq-G11 / metabolism
  • Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate / biosynthesis
  • Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate / metabolism*
  • Ketones / pharmacology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Peptides / chemistry
  • Peptides / pharmacology
  • Pyrazines / pharmacology
  • Type C Phospholipases / metabolism
  • Vomeronasal Organ / chemistry
  • Vomeronasal Organ / drug effects
  • Vomeronasal Organ / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antibodies
  • Diglycerides
  • Ketones
  • Peptides
  • Pyrazines
  • Angiotensin II
  • Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate
  • 2-heptanone
  • Type C Phospholipases
  • GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits, Gq-G11
  • 2,5-dimethylpyrazine