Inhibition of protein synthesis does not block physiological responses to odors in the frog over the short term

Abstract

1. 1. Frog olfactory mucosae were stimulated with an odorant every 60 sec and electro-physiological responses (electroolfactograms or EOGs) were monitored continuously—before, during, and after treatment with puromycin, a protein synthesis inhibitor. 2. 2. Repeated administration of puromycin at 4 hr intervals over a 36 hr period failed to suppress EOG responses. 3. 3. In an alternative approach, olfactory responses were inhibited with ethyl bromoacetate, a vaporous alkylating agent. EOG responses failed to reappear over a 72 hr period. 4. 4. We conclude that receptor turnover is not readily influenced by stimulation, and that the turnover time of frog olfactory receptor proteins is of the order of days or longer.