Molecular mechanisms of odor sensing. VI. Some biochemical characteristics of a possible receptor for amino acids from the olfactory epithelium of the skate Dasyatis pastinaca and carp Cyprinus carpio.

The 25 000 x g pellet of skate and carp olfactory tissue was found to contain structures with high affinity for amino acids (Kd approximately 10(-10) M). Results from competition experiments suggest that a multiplicity of types of olfactory binding sites exists in the skate and carp. Some parameters of a possible receptor for amino acids were evaluated. The isoelectric point of these sites solubilized with Triton X-100 was 5.35 and the molecular weight was about 120 000-150 000.