# Biogenesis of olfactory G protein-coupled receptors

> **NIH NIH R01** · DUKE UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $438,943

## Abstract

Biogenesis of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), the largest molecular class of pharmaceutical targets for
cardiac, psychiatric, and cancer diseases is a complex and underexplored process. Many GPCRs require the
presence of specific accessory proteins or co-receptors for their cell surface trafficking and/or functional
expression. We previously identified RTP1 (Receptor Transporting Protein 1) and RTP2, both of which are
single transmembrane proteins strongly and exclusively expressed in the peripheral olfactory organs. They
greatly enhance trafficking of olfactory receptors (ORs) on the cell surface and induce functional expression in
heterologous cells. In preliminary studies we investigated the roles played by the RTPs in vivo using the RTP1
and RTP2 double gene knockout mice (RTP1,2(-/-)), and uncovered an unexpected link between OR trafficking
and OR gene choice mediated by the RTPs. Based on these and other preliminary studies, we will test three
hypotheses. These are 1) RTP1 and RTP2 influence OR gene choice, 2) RTP mutant animals use diminished
repertoire of functional ORs, and 3) specific residues of ORs regulate ER retention and cell surface trafficking.
The successful completion of the project will deepen our understanding of OR biogenesis and function, and
sheds light on the new link between OR protein trafficking and OR transcriptional regulation.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 9948618
- **Project number:** 5R01DC016224-04
- **Recipient organization:** DUKE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Hiroaki Matsunami
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $438,943
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-07-01 → 2022-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/9948618

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 9948618, Biogenesis of olfactory G protein-coupled receptors (5R01DC016224-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/9948618. Licensed CC0.

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