Identification of G Protein α Subunits in the Main Olfactory System and Vomeronasal System of the Japanese Striped Snake, Elaphe quadrivirgata

抄録

In the olfactory system, G proteins couple to the olfactory receptors, and G proteins expressed in the main olfactory system and vomeronasal system vary according to animal species. In this study, G protein α subunits expressed in the main olfactory system and vomeronasal system of the snake were identified by immunohistochemistry. In the olfactory epithelium, only anti-G_αolf/s antibody labeled the cilia of the receptor cells. In the vomeronasal epithelium, only anti-G_αo antibody labeled the microvilli of the receptor cells. In the accessory olfactory bulb, anti-G_αo antibody stained the whole glomerular layer. These results suggest that the main olfactory system and the vomeronasal system of the snake express G_αolf and G_αo as G proteins coupling to the olfactory receptors, respectively.