Genomic organization and evolution of the vomeronasal type 2 receptor-like (OlfC) gene clusters in Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar.

ABSTRACT: There are three major multigene superfamilies of olfactory receptors (OR, V1R, and V2R) in mammals. The ORs are expressed in the main olfactory organ, whereas the V1Rs and V2Rs are located in the vomeronasal organ. Fish only possess one olfactory organ in each nasal cavity, the olfactory rosette; therefore, it has been proposed that their V2R-like genes be classified as olfactory C family G protein-coupled receptors (OlfC). There are large variations in the sizes of OR gene repertoires. Previous studies have shown that fish have between 12 and 46 functional V2R-like genes, whereas humans have lost all functional V2Rs, and frog sp. have more than 240. Pseudogenization of V2R genes is a prevalent event across species. In the mouse and frog genomes, there are approximately double the number o

SUBMITTER: Johnstone KA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2668830 | biostudies-literature | 2009 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature