Taar3, a member of the trace amine-associated receptor (TAAR) family, is involved in chemosensory functions, particularly in the detection of volatile amines. It belongs to the seven-transmembrane spanning G-protein-coupled receptor family within the rhodopsin superfamily. In rodents, it is a functional gene, while in some humans, it seems to be a pseudogene [1].

In mice, Taar3 has been shown to be involved in several biological processes. A urinary volatile amine, isobutylamine (IBA), was identified as a potent ligand for Taar3. When Taar3-expressing male mice were exposed to IBA, brain regions associated with sexual behaviors were activated, and they spent more time sniffing female urine compared to Taar2-9-/-mice (lacking all TAARs expressed in the olfactory epithelium). This indicates Taar3's role in the recognition of breeding partners and mate choice [3]. Also, in the context of diabetic nephropathy in Wistar rats, the expression of Taar3 in the kidney was altered, suggesting its potential involvement in the development of this disease [2].

In conclusion, Taar3 plays a role in chemosensory-related mate choice in mice and may be associated with the development of diabetic nephropathy in rats. The study of Taar3 using mouse models has provided insights into its functions in these specific biological and disease-related processes.

References:

1. Maguire, Janet J, Parker, William A E, Foord, Steven M, Neubig, Richard R, Davenport, Anthony P. . International Union of Pharmacology. LXXII. Recommendations for trace amine receptor nomenclature. In Pharmacological reviews, 61, 1-8. doi:10.1124/pr.109.001107. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19325074/

2. Ruiz-Hernández, A, Cabrera-Becerra, S, Vera-Juárez, G, Arauz, J, Villafaña, S. 2020. Diabetic nephropathy produces alterations in the tissue expression profile of the orphan receptors GPR149, GPR153, GPR176, TAAR3, TAAR5 and TAAR9 in Wistar rats. In Nucleosides, nucleotides & nucleic acids, 39, 1150-1161. doi:10.1080/15257770.2020.1780437. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32643557/

3. Harmeier, Anja, Meyer, Claas A, Staempfli, Andreas, Höner, Oliver P, Hoener, Marius C. 2018. How Female Mice Attract Males: A Urinary Volatile Amine Activates a Trace Amine-Associated Receptor That Induces Male Sexual Interest. In Frontiers in pharmacology, 9, 924. doi:10.3389/fphar.2018.00924. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30158871/