Attenuation of the Production of Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate in the Mouse Vomeronasal Organ by Antibodies Against the alpha_(q/11) Subfamily of G-Proteins

摘要

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 G alpha_(q/11) and then stimulated with adult male urine.Incubation of VNO membranes with antibodies against G alpha_(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.