The expression of ectopic olfactory receptors (ORs) in melanized cells, such as the human brain nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons and skin melanocytes, is here pointed out. ORs are recognized to regulate skin melanogenesis, whereas OR expression in the dopaminergic neurons, characterized by accumulation of pigment neuromelanin, is downregulated in Parkinsonâs disease. Furthermore, the correlation between the pigmentation process and the dopamine pathway through α-synuclein expression is also highlighted. Purposely, these ORs are suggested as therapeutic target for neurodegenerative diseases related to the pigmentation disorders. Based on this evidence, a possible way of turning odorants into drugs, acting on three specific olfactory receptors, OR51E2, OR2AT4 and VN1R1, is thus introduced. Various odorous molecules are shown to interact with these ORs and their therapeutic potential against melanogenic and neurodegenerative dysfunctions, including melanoma and Parkinsonâs disease, is suggested. Finally, a direct functional link between olfactory and endocrine systems in human brain through VN1R1 is proposed, helping to counteract female susceptibility to Parkinsonâs disease in quiescent life.
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Data di pubblicazione: | 2017 | |
Titolo: | Odorants could elicit repair processes in melanized neuronal and skin cells | |
Autori: | Pavan, Barbara; Dalpiaz, Alessandro | |
Rivista: | NEURAL REGENERATION RESEARCH | |
Parole Chiave: | Hedione; Melanoma; OR2AT4; OR51E2; Parkinsonâs disease; Sandalore; VN1R1; β-Ionone; Developmental Neuroscience | |
Abstract in inglese: | The expression of ectopic olfactory receptors (ORs) in melanized cells, such as the human brain nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons and skin melanocytes, is here pointed out. ORs are recognized to regulate skin melanogenesis, whereas OR expression in the dopaminergic neurons, characterized by accumulation of pigment neuromelanin, is downregulated in Parkinsonâs disease. Furthermore, the correlation between the pigmentation process and the dopamine pathway through α-synuclein expression is also highlighted. Purposely, these ORs are suggested as therapeutic target for neurodegenerative diseases related to the pigmentation disorders. Based on this evidence, a possible way of turning odorants into drugs, acting on three specific olfactory receptors, OR51E2, OR2AT4 and VN1R1, is thus introduced. Various odorous molecules are shown to interact with these ORs and their therapeutic potential against melanogenic and neurodegenerative dysfunctions, including melanoma and Parkinsonâs disease, is suggested. Finally, a direct functional link between olfactory and endocrine systems in human brain through VN1R1 is proposed, helping to counteract female susceptibility to Parkinsonâs disease in quiescent life. | |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI): | 10.4103/1673-5374.215246 | |
Handle: | http://hdl.handle.net/11392/2378503 | |
Appare nelle tipologie: | 03.1 Articolo su rivista |