Production of olfactory receptors and nanovesicles using heterologous cell systems for bioelectronic nose

Abstract

Olfactory receptors, belonging to a family of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), which are involved in various important physiological processes, are integral membrane proteins composed of seven transmembrane helices. It is difficult to produce GPCRs including olfactory receptors (ORs) using heterologous cell systems, because of their strong hydrophobicity, and complicated structure. The production of ORs should be a critical process for the development of an olfactory receptor-based bioelectronic nose. Significant efforts have been made for the production of ORs for the utilization as recognition elements of bioelectronic noses, and also for other applications. In addition, the construction method of mammalian cell-derived nanovesicles containing ORs has been demonstrated and applied for an bioelectronic nose, due to their unique properties, and suitable size for integration with a nanosensor platform. In this chapter, advances in the production of ORs and nanovesicles using various heterologous cell systems for the development of a bioelectronic nose are described.