# Mice missing VNO receptor genes **URL:** \ **Category:** Studies & Abstracts\ **Created:** [December 29, 2006, 6:18pm UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/mice-missing-vno-receptor-genes/1322 "2006-12-29T18:18:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![PheroQuirk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9e8a1a/32.png) [@PheroQuirk](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/PheroQuirk)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2006, 6:18pm UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/mice-missing-vno-receptor-genes/1322/1 "2006-12-29T18:18:33Z")
**[Deficient pheromone responses in mice lacking a cluster of vomeronasal receptor genes : Nature](http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v419/n6902/abs/nature00955.html)** **Deficient pheromone responses in mice lacking a cluster of vomeronasal receptor genes** Karina Del Punta[1](http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v419/n6902/abs/nature00955.html#a1), Trese Leinders-Zufall[2](http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v419/n6902/abs/nature00955.html#a2), Ivan Rodriguez[1](http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v419/n6902/abs/nature00955.html#a1),[3](http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v419/n6902/abs/nature00955.html#a3), David Jukam[1](http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v419/n6902/abs/nature00955.html#a1), Charles J. Wysocki[4](http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v419/n6902/abs/nature00955.html#a4), Sonoko Ogawa[1](http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v419/n6902/abs/nature00955.html#a1), Frank Zufall[2](http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v419/n6902/abs/nature00955.html#a2) and Peter Mombaerts[1](http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v419/n6902/abs/nature00955.html#a1) [Top of page](http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v419/n6902/abs/nature00955.html#top)The mammalian vomeronasal organ (VNO), a part of the olfactory system, detects [pheromones](https://pheromonelabs.com/)—chemical signals that modulate social and reproductive behaviours1, 2. But the molecular receptors in the VNO that detect these chemosensory stimuli remain undefined. Candidate pheromone receptors are encoded by two distinct and complex superfamilies of genes, _V1r_ and _V2r_ (refs 3 and 4), which code for receptors with seven transmembrane domains. These genes are selectively expressed in sensory neurons of the VNO. However, there is at present no functional evidence for a role of these genes in pheromone responses. Here, using chromosome engineering technology5, we delete in the germ line of mice a [http://www.nature.com/\_\_chars/math/special/sim/black/med/base/glyph.gif](http://www.nature.com/__chars/math/special/sim/black/med/base/glyph.gif) 600-kilobase genomic region that contains a cluster of 16 intact _V1r_ genes6. These genes comprise two of the 12 described _V1r_ gene families7, and represent [http://www.nature.com/\_\_chars/math/special/sim/black/med/base/glyph.gif](http://www.nature.com/__chars/math/special/sim/black/med/base/glyph.gif) 12% of the _V1r_ repertoire. The mutant mice display deficits in a subset of VNO-dependent behaviours: the expression of male sexual behaviour and maternal aggression is substantially altered. Electrophysiologically, the epithelium of the VNO of such mice does not respond detectably to specific pheromonal ligands. The behavioural impairment and chemosensory deficit support a role of V1r receptors as pheromone receptors. ---
**Author:** ![Rbt](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/rbt/32/2066_2.png) [@Rbt](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Rbt)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2006, 1:55am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/mice-missing-vno-receptor-genes/1322/2 "2006-12-30T01:55:04Z")
Good thing I’m not into getting romantically involved with Minnie… ---
**Author:** ![Socrates](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3bc359/32.png) [@Socrates](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/Socrates)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2006, 3:56am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/mice-missing-vno-receptor-genes/1322/3 "2006-12-30T03:56:40Z")
Haha Rbt!😃 I get the feeling that the VNO is active to some extent in humans but it is not the be all and end all to pheromone responses. A1 and Est, which are the widest studied VNO activators in humans, share certain unique properties on the respective sex whose VNO they target (A1 on women, Est on men). They are both generally very relaxing and comforting to their ‘target’ sex, an effect that no other pheromone is able to replicate to the same extent. Anyway that’s my speculation - as James Kohl says there is no proper research to suggest that the VNO is active. However instead of just giving up on testing pheromones for VNO activation, more research needs to be done on pheromones that target it (which I believe the poster ‘Archetypal Hybrid’ on LS is doing). There could be certain effects that VNO activator pheromones (like A1 and Est) share and we should identify these patterns. Anyway keep the research posts coming Quirk (and any others)! Visionary ---
**Author:** ![MarkL](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/pheromonetalk.com/markl/32/825_2.png) [@MarkL](https://pheromonetalk.com/u/MarkL)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2006, 3:58am UTC](https://pheromonetalk.com/t/mice-missing-vno-receptor-genes/1322/4 "2006-12-30T03:58:16Z")
I want to second that thought, Visionary. Research posts are much appreciated.