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Hemoglobin in the blood acts as a chemosensory signal via the mouse vomeronasal system

Author

Listed:
  • Takuya Osakada

    (The University of Tokyo
    The University of Tokyo)

  • Takayuki Abe

    (The University of Tokyo
    The University of Tokyo)

  • Takumi Itakura

    (The University of Tokyo
    The University of Tokyo)

  • Hiromi Mori

    (The University of Tokyo
    The University of Tokyo)

  • Kentaro K. Ishii

    (The University of Tokyo
    The University of Tokyo)

  • Ryo Eguchi

    (The University of Tokyo
    The University of Tokyo)

  • Ken Murata

    (The University of Tokyo
    The University of Tokyo)

  • Kosuke Saito

    (The University of Tokyo
    The University of Tokyo)

  • Sachiko Haga-Yamanaka

    (The University of Tokyo)

  • Hiroko Kimoto

    (The University of Tokyo)

  • Yoshihiro Yoshihara

    (The University of Tokyo
    RIKEN Center for Brain Science)

  • Kazunari Miyamichi

    (The University of Tokyo
    The University of Tokyo)

  • Kazushige Touhara

    (The University of Tokyo
    The University of Tokyo
    The University of Tokyo Institutes for Advanced Study)

Abstract

The vomeronasal system plays an essential role in sensing various environmental chemical cues. Here we show that mice exposed to blood and, consequently, hemoglobin results in the activation of vomeronasal sensory neurons expressing a specific vomeronasal G protein-coupled receptor, Vmn2r88, which is mediated by the interaction site, Gly17, on hemoglobin. The hemoglobin signal reaches the medial amygdala (MeA) in both male and female mice. However, it activates the dorsal part of ventromedial hypothalamus (VMHd) only in lactating female mice. As a result, in lactating mothers, hemoglobin enhances digging and rearing behavior. Manipulation of steroidogenic factor 1 (SF1)-expressing neurons in the VMHd is sufficient to induce the hemoglobin-mediated behaviors. Our results suggest that the oxygen-carrier hemoglobin plays a role as a chemosensory signal, eliciting behavioral responses in mice in a state-dependent fashion.

Suggested Citation

  • Takuya Osakada & Takayuki Abe & Takumi Itakura & Hiromi Mori & Kentaro K. Ishii & Ryo Eguchi & Ken Murata & Kosuke Saito & Sachiko Haga-Yamanaka & Hiroko Kimoto & Yoshihiro Yoshihara & Kazunari Miyami, 2022. "Hemoglobin in the blood acts as a chemosensory signal via the mouse vomeronasal system," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-14, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:13:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-022-28118-w
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-28118-w
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Adam Dewan & Annika Cichy & Jingji Zhang & Kayla Miguel & Paul Feinstein & Dmitry Rinberg & Thomas Bozza, 2018. "Single olfactory receptors set odor detection thresholds," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 9(1), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Da Yu Lin & Shao-Zhong Zhang & Eric Block & Lawrence C. Katz, 2005. "Encoding social signals in the mouse main olfactory bulb," Nature, Nature, vol. 434(7032), pages 470-477, March.
    3. Nao Horio & Ken Murata & Keiichi Yoshikawa & Yoshihiro Yoshihara & Kazushige Touhara, 2019. "Contribution of individual olfactory receptors to odor-induced attractive or aversive behavior in mice," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-9, December.
    4. Hiroko Kimoto & Sachiko Haga & Koji Sato & Kazushige Touhara, 2005. "Sex-specific peptides from exocrine glands stimulate mouse vomeronasal sensory neurons," Nature, Nature, vol. 437(7060), pages 898-901, October.
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