Odorant-binding protein and its mRNA are localized to lateral nasal gland implying a carrier function.
Odorant-binding protein selectively binds various odorants and is discretely concentrated in nasal mucosa and secretions. We have localized rat odorant-binding protein mRNA to the lateral nasal gland by in situ hybridization histochemistry and have also localized the protein to this gland by immunohistochemistry and by tritiated-odorant autoradiography. The lateral nasal gland extends a long duct toward the external nares. Odorant-binding protein, released from this duct, may transport odorants to olfactory receptor neurons.
Pevsner
J
J
Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205.
Hwang
P M
PM
Sklar
P B
PB
Venable
J C
JC
Snyder
S H
SH
D000818:Animals; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D009296:Nasal Cavity / Q000032:analysis*; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000032:analysis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis*; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains; D018035:Receptors, Odorant
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018035:Receptors, Odorant; C045648:odorant-binding protein