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Zinc nanoparticles interact with olfactory receptor neurons

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Abstract

Zinc metal nanoparticles strongly enhance odorant responses of olfactory receptor neurons. Olfactory receptors belong to the large superfamily of G-protein coupled receptors. A theoretical model based on experimental results explains a stoichiometry of metal nanoparticles receptor interaction. The model is similar to that used by A.V. Hill for the binding reaction between hemoglobin and oxygen. The model predicted that one metal nanoparticle binds two receptor molecules to create a dimer. This result is consistent with the evidence that many G-protein-coupled receptors form dimers or larger oligomers.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by Fetzer Institute Inc., Grant no. 2231, and the Department of Homeland Security, Science and Technology Directorate, Grant no. 01-G-022.

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  1. Department of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology, Auburn University, 109 Greene Hall, Auburn, AL, 36849, USA

    Vitaly Vodyanoy

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  1. Vitaly Vodyanoy
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Correspondence to Vitaly Vodyanoy.

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Vodyanoy, V. Zinc nanoparticles interact with olfactory receptor neurons. Biometals 23, 1097–1103 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10534-010-9355-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10534-010-9355-8

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