Mechanism of the excitatory Cl- response in mouse olfactory receptor neurons.

ABSTRACT: In vertebrate olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs), the odorant-triggered receptor current flows through two distinct ion channels on the sensory cilia: Ca2+ influx through a cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channel followed by Cl- efflux through a Ca2+-activated anion channel. The excitatory Cl- current amplifies the small CNG current and crucially depends on a high intracellular Cl- concentration. We show here that a (Na+)-(K+)-(2Cl-) cotransporter, NKCC1, is required for this Cl- current, in that ORNs deficient in Nkcc1 or incubated with an NKCC blocker (bumetanide) lack the Cl- current. Surprisingly, immunocytochemistry indicates that NKCC1 is located on the somata and dendrites of ORNs rather than the cilia, where transduction occurs. This topography is remarkably similar to the situation i

SUBMITTER: Reisert J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2877386 | biostudies-literature | 2005 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature