A feedback mechanism regulates monoallelic odorant receptor expression.
In olfactory neurons, expression of a single odorant receptor (OR) from a repertoire of >1000 genes is required for odor coding and axonal targeting. Here, we demonstrate a role for OR protein as an essential regulator in the establishment of monoallelic OR expression. An OR-promoter-driven reporter expresses in a receptor-like pattern but, unlike a native OR, is coexpressed with an additional OR allele. Expression of a functional OR from the identical promoter eliminates expression of other OR alleles. The presence of an untranslatable OR coding sequence in the mRNA is insufficient to exclude expression of a second OR. Together, these data identify the OR protein as a critical element in a feedback pathway that regulates OR selection.
Lewcock
Joseph W
JW
Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
Reed
Randall R
RR
D000483:Alleles; D000818:Animals; D005246:Feedback; D005260:Female; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D007763:Lac Operon; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D011247:Pregnancy; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D018035:Receptors, Odorant / Q000235:genetics*
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D018035:Receptors, Odorant