Axon guidance of mouse olfactory sensory neurons by odorant receptors and the beta2 adrenergic receptor
View abstract on PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.Odorant receptors (ORs) guide olfactory sensory neuron (OSN) axons to form glomeruli. Experiments show that the OR protein directly influences axon guidance, and even other receptors can form glomeruli, suggesting ORs lack a unique guidance function.
Area Of Science
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background
- Odorant receptors (ORs) are crucial for olfactory sensory neuron (OSN) axon targeting to specific glomeruli in the olfactory bulb.
- The precise mechanism by which ORs determine axonal identity and guide axon convergence remains incompletely understood.
Purpose Of The Study
- To investigate the role of the OR protein in determining OSN axonal identity and glomerular formation.
- To explore whether ORs possess a unique function in axon guidance or if other receptors can substitute their role.
Main Methods
- Gene targeting in mice to create OR::GFP fusion proteins and delete OR coding regions.
- Analysis of OSN axonal projections and glomerular organization in genetically modified mice.
- Expression of chimeric ORs, mutated ORs, and the beta2 adrenergic receptor from the OR locus.
Main Results
- OR::GFP fusion proteins are detected in OSN axons, supporting a direct role in axon guidance.
- Deletion of the OR coding region leads to OSN coexpression of other ORs.
- Reduced OR protein levels result in the formation of novel, ectopic glomeruli.
- Chimeric and mutated ORs, as well as the beta2 adrenergic receptor, can influence or substitute for OR function in glomerular organization.
Conclusions
- ORs directly participate in OSN axon guidance and glomerular targeting.
- The function of ORs in axon guidance is not unique, as other receptors can mediate glomerular formation.
- These findings challenge the notion of a specialized role for ORs in olfactory axon targeting.