We constructed a cDNA library from the olfactory epithelium of Cynops pyrrhogaster and found two types of clones, which encode the proteins belong the lipocalin super-family. They were tentatively named Cp-OSP and Cp-Lip after the most homologous proteins found in DDBJ DNA database, respectively. Northern blot analysis showed that both proteins were highly expressed in the olfactory epithelium, but not in brain, liver or intestine. In situ hybridization analysis on the frozen-section of the nasal grand showed that both proteins were expressed in the Bowman's gland, but the cells express the each protein distributed in a different pattern on the nasal organ. Cp-Lip expressed in E. coli could bind fluorescent dye, bis-ANS and 1-AMA, but Cp-OSP could bind only bis-ANS. These results suggest that the both proteins form heterogeneous mucous layer on the olfactory epithelium and may be involved in pre-discrimination of odorants.
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