PUBLICATION

Effects of urea on the molecules involved in the olfactory signal transduction: a preliminary study on Danio rerio

Authors
Ferrando, S., Gallus, L., Gambardella, C., Marchesotti, E., Ravera, S., Franceschini, V., Masini, M.A.
ID
ZDB-PUB-140806-7
Date
2014
Source
Fish physiology and biochemistry   40(6): 1793-800 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Keywords
none
MeSH Terms
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian/drug effects
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian/physiology
  • GTP-Binding Protein alpha Subunits/metabolism
  • Larva/drug effects
  • Larva/physiology
  • Neutral Red
  • Signal Transduction/drug effects
  • Smell/drug effects
  • Smell/physiology*
  • Urea/pharmacology*
  • Zebrafish/embryology
  • Zebrafish/physiology*
PubMed
25092237 Full text @ Fish Physiol. Biochem.
Abstract
Among vertebrates, the physiologically uremic Chondrichthyes are the only class which are not presenting the ciliated olfactory receptor neurons in the olfactory neuroepithelium. The only sequenced genome for this class revealed only three olfactory receptor genes and the immunohistochemical detection of G protein alpha subunit typically coupled to the olfactory receptors (Gαolf) failed in different species. Chronic renal disease can represent a cause of olfactory impairment in human. In this context, our present study focused on investigating potential effects of high urea concentration on the olfactory epithelium of vertebrates. Larvae of the teleost fish Danio rerio were exposed to urea in order to assess the effects on the olfactory signal transduction; in particular on both the olfactory receptors and the Gαolf. The endocytosis of neutral red dye in the olfactory mucosa was detected in control and urea-exposed larvae. The amount of neutral red dye uptake was used as a marker of binding and internalization of the Gαolf. The neutral red dye endocytosis was not affected by urea exposure, hence suggesting that the presence of the Gαolf and their binding to the odorants are not affected by urea treatment, either. The presence and distribution of Gαolf were investigated in the olfactory epithelium of control and urea-exposed larvae, using a commercial antibody. The immunoreactivity was increased after urea treatment, suggesting an effect of urea on the expression or degradation of this G protein alpha subunit.
Genes / Markers
Figures
Expression
Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping