Odorant receptor polymorphisms and natural variation in olfactory behavior in Drosophila melanogaster

Genetics. 2010 Oct;186(2):687-97. doi: 10.1534/genetics.110.119446. Epub 2010 Jul 13.

Abstract

Animals perceive and discriminate among a vast array of sensory cues in their environment. Both genetic and environmental factors contribute to individual variation in behavioral responses to these cues. Here, we asked to what extent sequence variants in six Drosophila melanogaster odorant receptor (Or) genes are associated with variation in behavioral responses to benzaldehyde by sequencing alleles from a natural population. Sequence analyses showed signatures of deviations from neutrality for Or42b and Or85f, and linkage disequilibrium analyses showed a history of extensive recombination between polymorphic markers for all six Or genes. We identified polymorphisms in Or10a, Or43a, and Or67b that were significantly associated with variation in response to benzaldehyde. To verify these associations, we repeated the analyses with an independent set of behavioral measurements of responses to a structurally similar odorant, acetophenone. Association profiles for both odorants were similar with many polymorphisms and haplotypes associated with variation in responsiveness to both odorants. Some polymorphisms, however, were associated with one, but not the other odorant. We also observed a correspondence between behavioral response to benzaldehyde and differences in Or10a and Or43a expression. These results illustrate that sequence variants that arise during the evolution of odorant receptor genes can contribute to individual variation in olfactory behavior and give rise to subtle shifts in olfactory perception.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Acetophenones / pharmacology
  • Alleles
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Benzaldehydes / pharmacology
  • Drosophila Proteins / genetics
  • Drosophila Proteins / metabolism
  • Drosophila melanogaster / genetics*
  • Drosophila melanogaster / metabolism
  • Drosophila melanogaster / physiology*
  • Genes, Insect
  • Genetic Linkage
  • Genetic Markers
  • Genetic Variation
  • Haplotypes
  • Multigene Family
  • Odorants
  • Olfactory Pathways
  • Olfactory Perception / genetics
  • Polymorphism, Genetic
  • Receptors, Odorant / genetics*
  • Receptors, Odorant / metabolism
  • Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Smell / genetics*
  • Smell / physiology

Substances

  • Acetophenones
  • Benzaldehydes
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Genetic Markers
  • Receptors, Odorant
  • acetophenone
  • benzaldehyde