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Related Concept Videos

Olfaction01:25

Olfaction

The sense of smell is achieved through the activities of the olfactory system. It starts when an airborne odorant enters the nasal cavity and reaches olfactory epithelium (OE). The OE is protected by a thin layer of mucus, which also serves the purpose of dissolving more complex compounds into simpler chemical odorants. The size of the OE and the density of sensory neurons varies among species; in humans, the OE is only about 9-10 cm2.
The olfactory receptors are embedded in the cilia of the...
Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway01:20

Physiology of Smell and Olfactory Pathway

Humans detect odors with the help of specialized cells located in the upper part of the nasal cavity, called olfactory receptor neurons (ORNs). ORNs possess hair-like structures called cilia, which are receptive to sensations from the inhaled air. When an odorant molecule binds to a specific receptor on the cell of the cilia, it leads to a series of events that ultimately cause the ORN to send electrical signals to the olfactory bulb in the brain through the olfactory nerves.
The olfactory...
Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure01:03

Olfactory Receptors: Location and Structure

The process of olfaction, also known as the sense of smell, is a sophisticated chemical response system. The specialized sensory neurons that facilitate this process, known as olfactory receptor neurons, are situated in an upper segment of the nasal cavity, known as the olfactory epithelium. Olfactory sensory neurons are bipolar, with their dendrites extending from the epithelium's apex into the mucus that lines the nasal cavity. Airborne molecules, when inhaled, traverse the olfactory...
What is Gene Expression?01:42

What is Gene Expression?

Overview
Gene expression is the process in which DNA directs the synthesis of functional products, that is, proteins. Cells can regulate gene expression at various stages. It allows organisms to generate different cell types and enables cells to adapt to internal and external factors.
Genetic Information Flows from DNA to RNA to Protein
A gene is a stretch of DNA that serves as the blueprint for functional RNAs and proteins. Since DNA is made up of nucleotides and proteins consist of amino...

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HP1β and H3K9me3 Regulate Olfactory Receptor Choice and Transcriptional Identity.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 11, 2026

High-throughput Analysis of Mammalian Olfactory Receptors: Measurement of Receptor Activation via Luciferase Activity
12:02

High-throughput Analysis of Mammalian Olfactory Receptors: Measurement of Receptor Activation via Luciferase Activity

Published on: June 2, 2014

Stochastic gene expression in mammals: lessons from olfaction.

Angeliki Magklara1, Stavros Lomvardas

  • 1Department of Anatomy, University of California San Francisco, CA 94920, USA. magklara@cc.uoi.gr

Trends in Cell Biology
|May 22, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Cellular diversity in higher organisms arises from stochastic gene expression, not just deterministic systems. This review explores non-deterministic mechanisms, focusing on olfactory receptor gene choice and its epigenetic basis.

Keywords:
antigen receptorsclustered protocadherinsepigenetic mechanismsnuclear architectureolfactory receptorsstochasticity

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Last Updated: May 11, 2026

High-throughput Analysis of Mammalian Olfactory Receptors: Measurement of Receptor Activation via Luciferase Activity
12:02

High-throughput Analysis of Mammalian Olfactory Receptors: Measurement of Receptor Activation via Luciferase Activity

Published on: June 2, 2014

Real-time In Vitro Monitoring of Odorant Receptor Activation by an Odorant in the Vapor Phase
09:53

Real-time In Vitro Monitoring of Odorant Receptor Activation by an Odorant in the Vapor Phase

Published on: April 23, 2019

Area of Science:

  • Cellular and Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Higher organisms exhibit remarkable cellular diversity, exemplified by the immune and nervous systems.
  • Achieving distinct cell expression programs requires stochastic, non-deterministic regulatory mechanisms.
  • Stochastic gene expression plays a crucial role in generating cellular diversity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review current understanding of stochastic gene expression.
  • To focus on olfactory receptor (OR) gene choice as a model system.
  • To highlight the emerging epigenetic underpinnings of OR gene choice.

Main Methods:

  • Review of recent scientific literature on stochastic gene expression.
  • Focus on studies investigating olfactory receptor gene selection.
  • Examination of research on epigenetic mechanisms influencing gene expression.

Main Results:

  • Stochasticity is essential for generating the vast cellular diversity observed in complex organisms.
  • Olfactory receptor gene choice is a key example of stochastic gene expression.
  • Epigenetic factors are increasingly recognized as regulators of stochastic gene expression, particularly in OR gene selection.

Conclusions:

  • Stochastic gene expression is a fundamental principle underlying cellular differentiation and function.
  • Understanding the epigenetic control of olfactory receptor gene choice provides insights into broader mechanisms of cellular diversity.
  • Further research into stochasticity and epigenetics is crucial for advancing our knowledge of biological complexity.