| Title: | An evolutionary conserved olfactory receptor for foodborne and semiochemical alkylpyrazines |
| Author(s): | Marcinek P; Haag F; Geithe C; Krautwurst D; |
| Address: | "Leibniz-Institute for Food Systems Biology at the Technical University of Munich, Freising, Germany. Hamilton Germany GmbH, Grafelfing, Germany. Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus - Senftenberg, Senftenberg, Germany" |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 1530-6860 (Electronic) 0892-6638 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "Molecular recognition is a fundamental principle in biological systems. The olfactory detection of both food and predators via ecological relevant odorant cues are abilities of eminent evolutionary significance for many species. Pyrazines are such volatile cues, some of which act as both human-centered key food odorants (KFOs) and semiochemicals. A pyrazine-selective odorant receptor has been elusive. Here we screened 2,3,5-trimethylpyrazine, a KFO and semiochemical, and 2,5-dihydro-2,4,5-trimethylthiazoline, an innate fear-associated non-KFO, against 616 human odorant receptor variants, in a cell-based luminescence assay. OR5K1 emerged as sole responding receptor. Tested against a comprehensive collection of 178 KFOs, we newly identified 18 pyrazines and (2R/2S)-4-methoxy-2,5-dimethylfuran-3(2H)-one as agonists. Notably, OR5K1 orthologs in mouse and domesticated species displayed a human-like, potency-ranked activation pattern of pyrazines, suggesting a domestication-led co-evolution of OR5K1 and its orthologs. In summary, OR5K1 is a specialized olfactory receptor across mammals for the detection of pyrazine-based key food odors and semiochemicals" |
| Keywords: | "Animals *Evolution, Molecular Food Analysis/*methods Humans Mice Odorants/*analysis Pheromones/*analysis/metabolism Phylogeny Pyrazines/*analysis/metabolism Receptors, Odorant/genetics/*metabolism *Smell chemical ecology chemosensory evolution odorant rec;" |
| Notes: | "MedlineMarcinek, Patrick Haag, Franziska Geithe, Christiane Krautwurst, Dietmar eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't 2021/05/29 FASEB J. 2021 Jun; 35(6):e21638. doi: 10.1096/fj.202100224R" |
