TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2011//
TI  - G protein G{alpha}o is essential for vomeronasal function and aggressive behavior in mice
JO  - Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
A1  - Chamero, Pablo
A1  - Katsoulidou, Vicky
A1  - Hendrix, Philipp
A1  - Bufe, Bernd
A1  - Roberts, Richard
A1  - Matsunami, Hiroaki
A1  - Abramowitz, Joel
A1  - Birnbaumer, Lutz
A1  - Zufall, Frank
A1  - Leinders-Zufall, Trese
SP  - 12898
EP  - 12903
VL  - 108
IS  - 31
N2  - The rodent vomeronasal organ (VNO) mediates the regulation of species-specific and interspecies social behaviors. We have used gene targeting to examine the role of the G protein Gαo, encoded by the gene Gnao1, in vomeronasal function. We used the Cre-loxP system to delete Gαo in those cells that express olfactory marker protein, which includes all vomeronasal sensory neurons of the basal layer of the VNO sensory epithelium. Using electrophysiology and calcium imaging, we show that the conditional null mice exhibit strikingly reduced sensory responses in V2R receptor-expressing vomeronasal sensory neurons to specific molecular cues, including MHC1 antigens, major urinary proteins, and exocrine gland-secreting peptide. Gαo is also vital for vomeronasal sensing of two N-formylated mitochondrially encoded peptides derived from NADH dehydrogenase 1. Furthermore, we show that Gαo is an essential requirement for the display of male-male territorial aggression as well as maternal aggression in mice. Finally, we show that Gαo-dependent maternal aggression can be induced by major urinary proteins. These cellular and behavioral phenotypes identify Gαo as the primary G-protein α-subunit mediating the detection of peptide and protein pheromones by sensory neurons of the VNO.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0027-8424
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1107770108
ID  - ref1
ER  -