Can the Electron-Accepting Properties of Odorants Be Involved in Their Recognition by the Olfactory System?

Abstract

The present study examines the possible importance of the electron-accepting properties of odorant molecules and, in particular, the formation and decay of temporary negative ions via low-energy electron attachment as a possible contribution toward understanding odorant recognition by olfactory receptors (ORs). Fragments formed by dissociative electron attachment (DEA) of mustard oil odorants represented by a series of isothiocyanates are studied experimentally using DEA spectroscopy and DFT calculations. Relative intensities for the most abundant fragment species, S and SCN, are found to be characteristic of structurally similar odorants under investigation. This novel approach for the investigation of odorants may contribute to understanding the initial stages of the olfactory process and may provide a means to distinguish between odorants and their interactions with the olfactory receptor system.

Exploring the mechanism of olfactory recognition in the initial stage by modeling the emission spectrum of electron transfer

“…The positively charged molecules may be more stable than negatively molecules, Bittner et al [18] suggested that the charge transfer type of the DBA model is the hole transfer, and the odorant molecule undergoes electronic change from the neutral state to the cationic state. However, Pshenichnyuk et al [78] proves the electron-accepting properties of odorant molecules are involved in their smell recognition with experiments. Their study is based on the theory which is known as dissociative electron attachment (DEA) mechanism [79,80], using DEA spectra as odor characteristic spectra can interpret a series of mustard oil odorants structurally close odorants with markedly different odor characters.…”

Exploring the Mechanism of Olfactory Recognition at the Initial Stage by Modeling the Emission Spectrum of Electron Transfer

“…However, Pshenichnyuk et al proves the electron-accepting properties of odorant molecules are involved in their smell recognition with experiments. [25]. Their study is based on the theory which is known as dissociative electron attachment (DEA) mechanism [68,69], using DEA spectra as odor characteristic spectra can interpret a series of mustard oil odorants structurally close odorants with markedly different odor characters.…”

“…Some experimental studies observed that the OR is also a metalloprotein; the transition metal ions (e.g., Zn 2+ , Cu 2+ , and Cu + ) could coordinate odorant molecules [23,24]. Pshenichnyuk et al proposed that there exists ET through an odorant molecule in the OR, the electron-accepting properties of odorant molecules are involved in their smell recognition [25]. Brookes et al [26] proposed that the source of excess electrons is likely a reducing (oxidizing) agent in the cell fluid.…”

Towards Deep Integration of Electronics and Photonics

“…For example, the interaction of photons with molecular vibrations lay the ground for Raman scattering, which is widely used in science and industry. Interaction of electrons with molecular vibrations is an important process in biology [95][96][97]. It is also implemented in the resonant negative ions mass-spectrometry method to identify substances [98,99].…”