Follow my blog with Bloglovin<\/a><\/p>\n (Z)-5-Tetradecen-1-ol, mw\u00a0 212.37,\u00a0\u00a0 formula\u00a0 C14H20O\u00a0\u00a0 CAS\u00a0\u00a0 40642-42-0<\/p>\n Odorant receptors, present on nasal sensory neurons<\/strong>, perceive volatile compounds and regulate animal behavior such as reproduction. The nature of the ligands interacting with these receptors is, however, largely unknown. <\/p>\n By identifying a novel receptor-ligand interaction in the mouse olfactory system, this study offers new insights into the complex chemistry regulating reproductive behavior.<\/p>\n
\nKeiichi Yoshikawa and colleagues, University of Tokyo, Japan, shed new light on this issue. The researchers demonstrated that, in mice, preputial gland cells generate and secrete into the urine the unsaturated aliphatic alcohol (Z<\/em>)-5-tetradecen-1-ol (pictured). This compound is regulated by the male hormone testosterone and acts as a natural agonist of the mouse odorant receptor Olfr288, affecting attractiveness to female mice. The urine of males lacking (Z<\/em>)-5-tetradecen-1-ol, in fact, failed to attract females.<\/p>\n\n
\nK. Yoshikawa, H. Nakagawa, N. Mori, H. Watanabe, K. Touhara,
\nNature Chem. Biol<\/em>. 2013<\/strong>.
\nDOI: 10.1038\/nchembio.1164<\/a><\/li>\n