Event
＜Change of Time＞【GIR Open Seminar】Dr. Hiroaki Matsunami / Duke University School of Medicine (U.S.A.)
| Date | 2024.8.6 (14：30 - 15：30) |
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| Venue | |
| Speaker | Dr. Hiroaki Matsunami |
| Affiliation | Duke University School of Medicine (U.S.A.) |
| Title | "From Molecules to Senses: The Science of Odor Recognition" ＜Abstract＞ Our sense of smell helps us identify a wide range of different smells. The mammalian olfactory system uses odorant receptors (ORs) to detect various odors, but we don't fully understand how these receptors work. ORs belong to a family of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and can recognize many different types of odor molecules. There are two main classes of ORs: Class I ORs, which are sensitive to carboxylic acids, and Class II ORs, which detect a wide variety of odors and make up most of the ORs in mammals. Our research focuses on how these odor molecules bind to and activate ORs. Using cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), we studied the structure of a human Class I OR, OR51E2, bound to propionate, helping us understand how Class I ORs interact with carboxylic acids. Now, we have investigated Class II ORs by designing and creating OR proteins that represent specific subfamilies. We used these engineered proteins to determine the structures of three different Class II ORs bound to their odor molecules. Our studies reveal how Class II ORs recognize odor molecules and show both common and unique features in their binding sites compared to Class I ORs. By analyzing point mutations and using computer simulations, our study provides a better understanding of how ORs recognize odors, paving the way for future research in this area. |
| Language | English |
| Intended for | Everyone is welcome to join. |
| Co-Organized by | Institute of Global Innovation Research ”LIFE SCIENCE” Fukutani Team Excellent Leader Development for Super Smart Society by New Industry Creation and Diversity |
| Contact | Institute of Global Innovation Research, Institute of Engineering Asst. Prof. Yosuke Fukutani e-mail: fukutani(at)cc.tuat.ac.jp |
| Remarks | This seminar will be held face-to-face only. |
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