Summary
The tobacco alkaloid (S)(−)-nicotine, when applied as a vapour to an in vitro head preparation, stimulates the olfactory epithelium in three strains of rats and to a lesser extent in two strains of mice. The electro-olfactogram (EOG) generated by nicotine has similar characteristics to the EOGs produced by known odorants. The nicotine EOG increases with increasing concentration of nicotine vapour (1–100 nM) applied to the olfactory epithelium.
Differential reduction of the nicotine EOG by the lectin concanavalin A is seen in Wistar and Lister Hooded rats. The reduction of the nicotine EOG by concanavalin A is prevented by adding alpha-methyl-D-mannoside to the lectin superfusion medium. This suggests that there is a glyco-moiety associated with at least one olfactory receptor responding to nicotine.
Our results suggest that rat olfactory epithelium has receptor sites for nicotine. Nicotine is an unusual compound because it shows both odorant and pharmacological properties.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Hall, G. H., Pharmac. Ther.15 (1982) 223.
Mangan, G. L., and Golding, J. F. The Psychopharmacology of Smoking. Cambridge University Press, London 1984.
Shimohama, S., Taniguchi, T., Fujiwara, M., and Kameyama, M., J. Neurochem.45 (1985) 604.
Marks, M. J., and Collins, A. C., Molec. Pharmac.22 (1982) 554.
Sershen, H., Reith, M. E. A., Lajtha, A., and Gennaro, J. Jr, J. Recept. Res.2 (1981) 1.
Abood, L. G., Grassi, S., and Noggle, H. D., Neurochem. Res.10 (1985) 259.
Romano, C., and Goldstein, A., Science210 (1980) 647.
Sloan, J. W., Todd, G. D., and Martin, W. R., Pharmac. biochem. Behav.20 (1984) 899.
Abood, L. G., Grassi, S., Junig, J., Crane, A., and Costanzo, M., Archs int. Pharmacodyn.273 (1985) 62.
Davies, B. D., Hoss, W., Lin, J. P., and Lionetti, F., Molec. cell. Biochem.44 (1982) 23.
Enzell, C. R., in: Flavour '81, 3rd Weurman Symposium, p. 449. Ed. P. Schreier de Gruyter, Berlin, New York 1981.
Jackson, K. E., Chem. Rev.29 (1941) 123.
Shirley, S., Polak, E., and Dodd, G. H., Eur. J. Biochem.132 (1983) 485.
Shirley, S. G., Polak, E. H., Mather, R. A., and Dodd, G. H., Biochem. J. (1987) in press.
Shirley, S. G., Chem. Senses (1987) in press.
Shirley, S., Polak, E., and Dodd, G., Biochem. Soc. Trans.11 (1983) 780.
Wood, P., Shirley, S., and Dodd, G., Biochem. Soc. Trans.11 (1983) 781.
Weast, R. C., Selby, S. M., and Hodgman, C. D., (Eds) Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 45th edn. CRC Press, Ohio 1964.
Getchell, T. V., Margolis, F. L., and Getchell, M. L., Prog. Neurobiol.23 (1984) 317.
Ottoson, D., in: Taste and Smell in Vertebrates, p. 343. Eds G. E. W. Wolstenholme and J. Knight Churchill, London 1970.
Bond, J. A., Cancer Res.43 (1983) 4805.
Dahl, A. R., and Hadley, W. M., Tox. appl. Pharmac.67 (1983) 200.
Brittebo, E. B., and Tjalve, H., in: Nasal Tumors in Animals and Man, vol. 3, p. 233. Eds G. Reznik and S. F. Stinson, CRC Press, Florida 1983.
Menco, B. Ph. M., Cell Tissue Res.207 (1980) 183.
Chen, Z., and Lancet, D., Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. USA81 (1984) 1859.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Additional information
22 September 1986
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Edwards, D.A., Mather, R.A., Shirley, S.G. et al. Evidence for an olfactory receptor which responds to nicotine — nicotine as an odorant. Experientia 43, 868–873 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01951644
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01951644