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Co-existence of cationic and chloride components in odorant-induced current of vertebrate olfactory receptor cells

Nature volume 363, pages 71–74 (1993)Cite this article

Abstract

ODORANT stimulation leads to a depolarization of olfactory receptor neurons1–3. A mechanism underlying this transduction, which occurs in the sensory cilia3–6, involves a G-protein-mediated increase in adenylyl cyclase activity7–10, and therefore a rise in internal cyclic AMP and consequent opening of a cAMP-gated cation channel on the plasma membrane11–22. Another mechanism, not as well established, involves the opening of an inositol trisphosphate-activated cation channel on the plasma membrane23 as a result of phospholipase C activity24,25. In both cases, an influx of cations is thought to generate the depolarizing receptor potential. We now report, however, that the mechanism is actually more complex. The odorant-induced current appears to contain an inward chloride component also, which is triggered by calcium influx through the cation-selective channel. This newly found chloride component can be as large as the cationic component. The co-existence of cationic and chloride components in the odorant response, possibly unique among sensory transduction mechanisms, may serve to reduce variations in the transduction current resulting from changes in external ionic concentrations around the olfactory cilia. Our finding can explain the longstanding puzzle of why removal of most mucosal cations still does not diminish the amplitude of the olfactory receptor cell response26–28.

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Author notes

  1. Takashi Kurahashi

    Present address: Monell Chemical Senses Center, 3500 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104-3308, USA

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and Department of Neuroscience, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 725 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, Maryland, 21205, USA

    Takashi Kurahashi & King-Wai Yau

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  1. Takashi Kurahashi
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  2. King-Wai Yau
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Kurahashi, T., Yau, KW. Co-existence of cationic and chloride components in odorant-induced current of vertebrate olfactory receptor cells. Nature 363, 71–74 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1038/363071a0

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