A novel family of candidate pheromone receptors in mammals

Pheromonal activation of the vomeronasal organ (VNO) elicits genetically pr eprogrammed behaviors and physiological changes in mammals. We have identif ied a novel gene family encoding over one hundred VNO specific receptors, t he V3Rs. V3R sequences are highly similar to each other and appear distantl y related to the putative pheromone receptors, V1Rs, and the taste receptor s, T2Rs. Within the VNO, VER-positive neurons are distinct from neurons exp ressing the pheromone receptor families V1R and V2R. The V3Rs are likely to represent a new large family of pheromone receptors in mammals. Multiple V 3R-related human sequences have been identified, including one clone retain ing the capacity to create a complete and functional transcript. Our data u ncover a striking complexity in the molecular and cellular organization of the VNO and provide an essential framework for the study of pheromone signa ling in mammals.