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GABAB receptor expression and function in olfactory receptor neuron axon growth
Catherine A Priest1, Adam C Puche
1Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, Program in Neuroscience, The University of Maryland School of Medicine, Room 222, 685 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, USA.
Journal of Neurobiology
|July 22, 2004
Summary
Developing olfactory receptor neurons express GABAB receptors, which inhibit their growth. This suggests GABA signaling guides olfactory neuron development and target finding in the developing nervous system.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Neurotransmitters regulate neural development, including growth cone motility and guidance.
- Functional GABAB receptors are present on adult olfactory receptor neuron (ORN) terminals.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression and function of GABAB receptors in developing mouse olfactory receptor neurons.
- To determine if GABAB receptor activation influences ORN neurite outgrowth.
Main Methods:
- Used antisera against GABAB R1a/b isoforms to detect receptor expression in developing ORNs.
- Cultured dissociated ORNs and olfactory epithelial explants to examine GABAB receptor presence on growth cones.
- Treated cultured ORNs with GABAB receptor agonists (baclofen, SKF97541) and an antagonist (CGP54626) to assess effects on neurite outgrowth.
Main Results:
- Developing mouse ORNs express GABAB receptors from embryonic day 14 through adulthood.
- GABAB receptors are present on ORN axon growth cones.
- GABAB receptor agonists significantly reduced ORN neurite outgrowth.
- GABAB receptor antagonist blocked the inhibitory effects of agonists.
Conclusions:
- Growing ORN axons express functional GABAB receptors.
- GABAB receptor activation inhibits ORN neurite outgrowth.
- GABA signaling may guide ORN axon guidance and target selection during development and regeneration.