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

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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.