Odorant concentration and receptor potential in olfactory sensory neurons

The first step of olfactory transduction consists of the interaction of odo rant molecules with receptor proteins. This interaction can be described ei ther as a single-step reaction (binding only) or as a double-step one (bind ing and activation). The number of bound or activated receptors is analyzed as a function of the external concentration of odorant molecules in two mo dels of the neuron environment. In one model the odorant molecules can free ly access and leave the vicinity of receptors, whereas in the other a real perireceptor space, partly isolated from the external environment is consid ered. The steady state and time variable responses to the stimulus are inve stigated. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.