title: Odorant-binding protein: localization to nasal glands and secretions.
abstract: An odorant-binding protein (OBP) was isolated from bovine olfactory and respiratory mucosa. We have produced polyclonal antisera to this protein and report its immunohistochemical localization to mucus-secreting glands of the olfactory and respiratory mucosa. Although OBP was originally isolated as a pyrazine binding protein, both rat and bovine OBP also bind the odorants [3H]methyldihydrojasmonate and 3,7-dimethyl-octan-1-ol as well as 2-isobutyl-3-[3H]methoxypyrazine. We detect substantial odorant-binding activity attributable to OBP in secreted rat nasal mucus and tears but not in saliva, suggesting a role for OBP in transporting or concentrating odorants.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001665:Binding Sites; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D002417:Cattle; D002628:Chemoreceptor Cells / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D005233:Fatty Alcohols / Q000378:metabolism; D007163:Immunosorbent Techniques; D008970:Molecular Weight; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000032:analysis*; D011719:Pyrazines / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D018035:Receptors, Odorant; D012903:Smell / Q000502:physiology*; D013666:Tears / Q000032:analysis
chemical_list: D002352:Carrier Proteins; D005233:Fatty Alcohols; D011719:Pyrazines; D018035:Receptors, Odorant; C045648:odorant-binding protein