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Olfactory Assays for Mouse Models of Neurodegenerative Disease
Published on: August 25, 2014
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Expression Profiling of mRNAs and Long Non-Coding RNAs in Aged Mouse Olfactory Bulb
Ming Wang1,2, Wei Liu3, Jian Jiao1,2
1Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing TongRen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100730, China.
Scientific Reports
|May 20, 2017
Summary
Aging impairs sense of smell, potentially signaling neurodegeneration. This study found specific long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and protein-coding genes in aged mouse olfactory bulbs (OBs) linked to this decline.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genomics
- Aging Research
Background:
- Age-related olfactory dysfunction impacts elderly quality of life.
- Olfactory impairment may indicate early neurodegenerative disease.
- Mechanisms of olfactory decline in aging are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate gene and long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) expression changes in the olfactory bulb (OB) of aged mice.
- To identify molecular players involved in age-related olfactory impairment.
Main Methods:
- Microarray analysis of olfactory bulbs from young, mature, and aged mice.
- Gene Ontology and pathway analysis for differentially expressed protein-coding genes (PCGs).
- Gene set enrichment analysis for differentially expressed lncRNAs.
Main Results:
- Aged mice showed differential expression of PCGs related to signal transduction, gene regulation, and cellular environment in the OB.
- Two specific lncRNAs (NONMMUT004524 and NONMMUT000384) were differentially expressed in aged mouse OBs.
- These lncRNAs were significantly associated with the neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction pathway.
Conclusions:
- Age-related olfactory decline in mice is associated with altered expression of specific PCGs and lncRNAs in the OB.
- Dysregulation of the neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction pathway, potentially due to lncRNAs, may contribute to olfactory impairment in aging.
