Olfactory receptor interactions with other receptors.

Olfactory receptors expressed in heterologous cells often suffer from retention in the endoplasmic reticulum and poor trafficking to the plasma membrane. Interactions of the olfactory receptor M71 with several subtypes of adrenergic and purinergic receptors can alleviate M71 trafficking deficits in heterologous cells and allow for robust M71 plasma membrane expression. Furthermore, the signaling pathway to which M71 couples upon agonist stimulation can be strongly influenced by the partner receptor's driving M71 trafficking to the plasma membrane. These studies provide evidence that olfactory receptors can interact with other G protein-coupled receptors and that these interactions can promote olfactory receptor surface expression and functionality in heterologous cells.