Recombinant Mouse Vomeronasal type-1 receptor 47 (Vmn1r47)

Molecular Characterization

Vmn1r47 (UniProt ID: Q9EQ51) is a 310-amino-acid transmembrane protein encoded by the Vmn1r47 gene . It belongs to the vomeronasal receptor clade GPCRs, which are specialized for detecting volatile and non-volatile chemosensory cues . Recombinant forms of Vmn1r47 are engineered for experimental studies, with variants expressed in E. coli, HEK293, and mammalian cell systems .

Key Features of Recombinant Vmn1r47

Functional Insights

While direct ligands for Vmn1r47 remain uncharacterized, its functional profile is inferred from related V1Rs:

• Ligand Specificity: V1Rs are activated by sulfated estrogens (SEs) and other steroids at nanomolar concentrations . For example, Vmn1r85 and Vmn1r89—closely related receptors—detect SEs like E1050 and E1103 with dynamic ranges spanning 3–4 orders of magnitude .

• Signaling Pathway: Vmn1r47 is linked to Gαo-mediated signaling, which triggers calcium influx via TRPC2 channels in vomeronasal sensory neurons (VSNs) . This pathway is essential for aggressive and mating behaviors in mice .

• Pathway Involvement:

  • GPCR Signaling: Vmn1r47 interacts with Gαo to activate phospholipase C (PLC), leading to intracellular Ca²⁺ release .

  • Odorant Detection: Coexpressed with other receptors in pathways detecting MHC1 antigens and formylated peptides .

Evolutionary Context

• Clade Classification: Vmn1r47 resides within the V1R clade D, a group marked by rapid gene duplication and lineage-specific expansions in Mus species . Clade D receptors exhibit low sequence conservation compared to other clades, suggesting adaptive diversification .

• Orthology: While Vmn1r47 is conserved in Mus musculus, orthologs in species like M. spretus and M. caroli show divergent expression patterns, possibly reflecting species-specific social behaviors .

Evolutionary Metrics for V1R Clade D

Research Applications

Recombinant Vmn1r47 is utilized in:

• Ligand Screening: High-throughput assays to identify agonists/antigens .

• Structural Studies: Mapping extracellular domains critical for ligand binding .

• Behavioral Models: Investigating pheromone-driven aggression or mating in Gnao1 conditional knockout mice .

Recombinant Vmn1r47 Products

Unresolved Questions

• Ligand Identification: Despite structural homology to SE-detecting V1Rs , Vmn1r47’s exact ligands are unknown.

• Behavioral Role: Conditional knockout models are needed to dissect its contribution to social behaviors .

• Cross-Species Function: Whether Vmn1r47 orthologs in non-Mus rodents retain similar roles remains untested .