CD20/MS4A1 is a mammalian olfactory receptor expressed in a subset of olfactory sensory neurons that mediates innate avoidance of predators

Hao-Ching Jiang, Sung Jin Park, I-Hao Wang, Daniel M. Bear, Alexandra Nowlan and Paul L. Greer ()
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Hao-Ching Jiang: University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School
Sung Jin Park: University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School
I-Hao Wang: University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School
Daniel M. Bear: Harvard Medical School
Alexandra Nowlan: Harvard Medical School
Paul L. Greer: University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-17

Abstract: Abstract The mammalian olfactory system detects and discriminates between millions of odorants to elicit appropriate behavioral responses. While much has been learned about how olfactory sensory neurons detect odorants and signal their presence, how specific innate, unlearned behaviors are initiated in response to ethologically relevant odors remains poorly understood. Here, we show that the 4-transmembrane protein CD20, also known as MS4A1, is expressed in a previously uncharacterized subpopulation of olfactory sensory neurons in the main olfactory epithelium of the murine nasal cavity and functions as a mammalian olfactory receptor that recognizes compounds produced by mouse predators. While wildtype mice avoid these predator odorants, mice genetically deleted of CD20 do not appropriately respond. Together, this work reveals a CD20-mediated odor-sensing mechanism in the mammalian olfactory system that triggers innate behaviors critical for organismal survival.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47698-3

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