Calcium-activated chloride current amplifies the response to urine in mouse vomeronasal sensory neurons.

ABSTRACT: The vomeronasal organ (VNO) is an odor detection system that mediates many pheromone-sensitive behaviors. Vomeronasal sensory neurons (VSNs), located in the VNO, are the initial site of interaction with odors/pheromones. However, how an individual VSN transduces chemical signals into electrical signals is still unresolved. Here, we show that a Ca2+-activated Cl- current contributes approximately 80% of the response to urine in mouse VSNs. Using perforated patch clamp recordings with gramicidin, which leaves intracellular chloride undisrupted, we found that the urine-induced inward current (V(hold) = -80 mV) was decreased in the presence of chloride channel blockers. This was confirmed using whole cell recordings and altering extracellular chloride to shift the reversal potential. Further,

SUBMITTER: Yang C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2806418 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature