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Trends Neurosci

Title:		MHC molecules in the vomeronasal organ: contributors to pheromonal discrimination?
Author(s):		Hegde AN;
Address:		"Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Wake Forest University Health Sciences, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157, USA. ahegde@wfubmc.edu"
Journal Title:		Trends Neurosci
Year:		2003
Volume:		26
Issue:		12
Page Number:		646 - 650
DOI:		10.1016/j.tins.2003.10.001
ISSN/ISBN:		0166-2236 (Print) 0166-2236 (Linking)
Abstract:		"The vomeronasal organ of the accessory olfactory system detects pheromones in several vertebrate species. Recent studies of vomeronasal sensory neurons have shown that they express MHC molecules, which in the immune system help to discriminate self antigens from non-self antigens. These new findings, along with past research demonstrating MHC-based olfactory discrimination, suggest the exciting possibility that MHC molecules together with vomeronasal G-protein-coupled receptors play a role in distinguishing related individuals from unrelated ones based on pheromonal cues"
Keywords:		"Animals Discrimination, Psychological/physiology Humans Major Histocompatibility Complex/*physiology Pheromones/chemistry/*physiology Receptors, Pheromone/chemistry/physiology Smell/*physiology Vomeronasal Organ/*physiology;"
Notes:		"MedlineHegde, Ashok N eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Review England 2003/11/20 Trends Neurosci. 2003 Dec; 26(12):646-50. doi: 10.1016/j.tins.2003.10.001"