Loss of responses to odorants and pheromones in mPRγ (paqr5b)-knockout zebrafish.

In our previous study, we generated a membrane-type progesterone receptor γ (paqr5b) knockout zebrafish line. Knocking out paqr5b by genome editing resulted in the loss of neurons in the olfactory rosette (OR). These findings indicated that Paqr5b plays an essential role in the formation of olfactory neurons.

Biochemical characterization of zebrafish Paqr5b.

Previously, we established a gene knock-out strain of paqr5b in zebrafish and showed that the gene is essential for the formation of neurons in the zebrafish olfactory rosette. The results suggested that Paqr5b might play a role as a receptor for neurosteroids and contribute to the differentiation of olfactory neurons. In this study, we attempted to express the recombinant zebrafish Paqr5b protein and analyze its affinity for steroids.