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Extrahepatic Microsomal Forms: Olfactory Cytochrome P450

1993; Springer Science+Business Media; Linguagem: Inglês

10.1007/978-3-642-77763-9_22

1865-0325

Xinxin Ding, Minor J. Coon,

Insect Pheromone Research and Control

The olfactory epithelium, which covers the nasal ethmoturbinates and the rear, upper portion of the nasal septum in mammals (cf. Rhodin 1974; Young 1986), has three major cell types: olfactory receptor cells (neurons), sustentacular cells (supporting cells), and the undifferentiated basal cells. Beneath the epithelium is a highly cellular lamina propria that is rich in blood vessels, connective tissue cells, nerve bundles, and Bowman’s glands. These glands are unique for the olfactory region, continuously secrete a serous fluid onto the olfactory surface, and, together with the supporting cells in the epithelium, constantly renew the surface fluid that overlays the olfactory mucosa (cf. Sorokin 1988; Getchell et al. 1988). Inevitably, the olfactory mucosa, which forms a barrier between the external environment in the nasal cavity and the subjacent brain tissues, is directly exposed to numerous inhaled foreign substances, such as odor ants, environmental pollutants, allergens, and pheromones, which readily reach the mucous layer and are absorbed into the subjacent cellular structures. Most of the absorbed compounds, particularly those that are lipophilic, undergo biotransformation to metabolites that are more hydrophilic before being excreted into the nasal cavity or cleared into the bloodstream.