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Nature

Title:		Deficient pheromone responses in mice lacking a cluster of vomeronasal receptor genes
Author(s):		Del Punta K; Leinders-Zufall T; Rodriguez I; Jukam D; Wysocki CJ; Ogawa S; Zufall F; Mombaerts P;
Address:		"The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, New York 10021, USA"
Journal Title:		Nature
Year:		2002
Volume:		419
Issue:		6902
Page Number:		70 - 74
DOI:		10.1038/nature00955
ISSN/ISBN:		0028-0836 (Print) 0028-0836 (Linking)
Abstract:		"The mammalian vomeronasal organ (VNO), a part of the olfactory system, detects pheromones--chemical signals that modulate social and reproductive behaviours. But the molecular receptors in the VNO that detect these chemosensory stimuli remain undefined. Candidate pheromone receptors are encoded by two distinct and complex superfamilies of genes, V1r and V2r (refs 3 and 4), which code for receptors with seven transmembrane domains. These genes are selectively expressed in sensory neurons of the VNO. However, there is at present no functional evidence for a role of these genes in pheromone responses. Here, using chromosome engineering technology, we delete in the germ line of mice an approximately 600-kilobase genomic region that contains a cluster of 16 intact V1r genes. These genes comprise two of the 12 described V1r gene families, and represent approximately 12% of the V1r repertoire. The mutant mice display deficits in a subset of VNO-dependent behaviours: the expression of male sexual behaviour and maternal aggression is substantially altered. Electrophysiologically, the epithelium of the VNO of such mice does not respond detectably to specific pheromonal ligands. The behavioural impairment and chemosensory deficit support a role of V1r receptors as pheromone receptors"
Keywords:		"Aggression/drug effects Animals Body Weight/drug effects Depression Electrophysiology Estrous Cycle/drug effects Evolution, Molecular Female *Gene Deletion Ligands Male Mice Mice, Knockout Motor Activity/drug effects Multigene Family/*genetics Pheromones/;"
Notes:		"MedlineDel Punta, Karina Leinders-Zufall, Trese Rodriguez, Ivan Jukam, David Wysocki, Charles J Ogawa, Sonoko Zufall, Frank Mombaerts, Peter eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S. England 2002/09/06 Nature. 2002 Sep 5; 419(6902):70-4. doi: 10.1038/nature00955"