Odorant-binding protein and its mRNA are localized to lateral nasal gland implying a carrier function.

Odorant-binding protein selectively binds various odorants and is discretely concentrated in nasal mucosa and secretions. We have localized rat odorant-binding protein mRNA to the lateral nasal gland by in situ hybridization histochemistry and have also localized the protein to this gland by immunohistochemistry and by tritiated-odorant autoradiography. The lateral nasal gland extends a long duct toward the external nares.

Drug solubilizers to aid pharmacologists: amorphous cyclodextrin derivatives.

Conversion of crystalline alpha-, beta-, or gamma-cyclodextrins into amorphous mixtures of water soluble derivatives yields non-toxic solubilizers which dissolve drugs through the formation of inclusion complexes. From these types of compounds 2-hydroxypropyl ethers of cyclodextrins have presently been investigated and the ranges for the safe use in working with (a) receptor binding assays on membrane preparations, (b) cells in vitro, and (c) parenteral use in mice were established for these compounds. The drugs which were investigated were dissolved in amounts linearly proportionate to the concentration of the solubilizers used and did not precipitate upon dilution by aqueous media.

The odorant-sensitive adenylate cyclase of olfactory receptor cells. Differential stimulation by distinct classes of odorants.

We have characterized odorant-stimulated adenylate cyclase activity in isolated chemosensory cilia prepared from frog and rat olfactory epithelium. Cilia from both species exhibit high levels of adenylate cyclase activity. Basal activity is stimulated approximately 2-fold by GTP and approximately 5-fold by guanosine 5'-(3-O-thio)triphosphate and forskolin.

Odorant-binding protein: localization to nasal glands and secretions.

An odorant-binding protein (OBP) was isolated from bovine olfactory and respiratory mucosa. We have produced polyclonal antisera to this protein and report its immunohistochemical localization to mucus-secreting glands of the olfactory and respiratory mucosa. Although OBP was originally isolated as a pyrazine binding protein, both rat and bovine OBP also bind the odorants [3H]methyldihydrojasmonate and 3,7-dimethyl-octan-1-ol as well as 2-isobutyl-3-[3H]methoxypyrazine.