The olfactory Olfr-78/51E2 receptor interacts with the adenosine A 2A receptor. Effect of menthol and 1,8-cineole on A 2A receptor-mediated signaling.

Heteromer formation is unknown for the olfactory family of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). We here identified, in a heterologous system, heteromers formed by the adenosine A receptor (AR), which is a target for neuroprotection, and an olfactory receptor. AR interacts with the receptor family 51, subfamily E, member 2 (OR51E2), the human ortholog of the mouse Olfr-78, whose mRNA is differentially expressed in activated microglia treated with adenosine receptor ligands. Bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) assays were performed in HEK-293T cells expressing the human version of the receptors, OR51E2 and AR, fused, respectively, to (RLuc) and the yellow fluorescent protein (YFP). BRET data was consistent with a receptor-receptor interaction whose consequences at the functional level were measured by cAMP level determination in CHO cells. Results showed an olfactory receptor-mediated partial blockade of G coupling to the AR, i.e., the effect of the AR selective agonist on intracellular levels of cAMP was significantly reduced. Two odorants, menthol and 1,8-cineole, which failed to show G-mediated OR51E2 activation because they did not increase cytosolic cAMP levels, reduced the BRET readings in cells expressing AR-YFP and OR51E2-Rluc, most likely suggesting a conformational change of at least one receptor. These odorants led to an almost complete block of AR coupling to G.